CAA Rules Notified Today Just Before Elections, Is BJP’s Desperate Attempt At Divisive Politics: Kharge

The Congress party has alleged that the timing of the notification of the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act is designed to polarise the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, especially in West Bengal and Assam.

The Congress party has raised concerns over the timing of the notification of rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), alleging that it is a deliberate attempt by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to polarize the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, particularly in West Bengal and Assam.

Assam Jatiya Parishad Delegation Meets Congress President

A delegation led by Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi, an ally of the Congress, met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday. The delegation presented a memorandum highlighting various issues concerning the people of Assam, including the discriminatory nature of the CAA, which they believe goes against the fundamental principles and spirit of the Indian Constitution.

Kharge Criticizes CAA Rules Notification

Reacting to the notification of the CAA rules, Kharge stated that it is a desperate attempt by the BJP to engage in divisive politics. He pointed out that the announcement comes just before the elections and questioned the delay of four years and three months by the Narendra Modi government in notifying the rules for a law that was cleared by Parliament in December 2019.

Jairam Ramesh Alleges Headline Management

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also criticized the timing of the CAA rules notification, suggesting that it is an attempt to divert attention from the Supreme Court's recent strictures on the electoral bonds issue. He highlighted the lengthy delay in notifying the rules and accused the government of blatant lies regarding its efficiency and time-bound approach.

CAA Rules Notified, Paving Way for Citizenship Grant

Despite the controversies and protests surrounding the CAA, the government has now notified the rules for its implementation. This paves the way for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. The eligible communities include Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians.

Protests and Delays

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and received the president's assent, but it faced widespread protests in various parts of the country. Over a hundred people lost their lives during the anti-CAA protests or police action. The law could not come into effect due to the absence of notified rules until now.

The Congress party's allegations against the BJP regarding the timing of the CAA rules notification have added a new dimension to the already heated political atmosphere ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The government's decision to proceed with the implementation of the CAA despite the controversies and protests remains a contentious issue that is likely to continue shaping the political discourse in India.