Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of “spreading lies” about the citizenship act and “creating an atmosphere of fear for Muslims” in the country. He was speaking at a rally in Jharkhand on Tuesday and addressed this grave issue.
He said, “I give my assurances no citizen in the country will be affected by the law. The Congress and its allies are instigating Muslims for political purpose.”
He further added, “I challenge Congress and their allies if they have the guts, they should openly declare that they will give Indian citizenship to every Pakistani citizen and that they will bring back Article 370 in Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh.”
He also spoke about the protests that were happening across India. “Stop this guerrilla politics. The Indian Constitution is our only holy book. I appeal to the youth in colleges to debate our policies and protest democratically. We will listen to you. But some parties, urban Naxals, are firing off your shoulders,” he said.
The newly enacted Citizenship Amendment Act gives citizenship to migrants of six non-Muslim minority communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The rpotests against the Act turned violent on Sunday after clashes between students of Jamia Millia Islamia university and the security personnel broke out in Delhi.
Since then, violence has been reported in various parts of the country and several student groups and university campuses have expressed solidarity.
The Congress party, on its part, has said it is fighting to protect the Constitution, which is being “violated and threatened” by the BJP with its “divisive” politics.
Senior Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have been in the forefront of the opposition attack.
Also Read: Fresh protests break out in Delhi’s Seelampur over the Citizenship Amendment Act
To show solidarity with students, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior leaders on Monday held a protest in front of India Gate against the “police brutality” on students of Jamia Milia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University.
Several other parties including the Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, left parties, Telangana Rashtriya Samithi, Aam Aadmi Party and Janata Dal (Secular) are also opposing the citizenship act.
Speaking at the election rally, PM Modi said that there is only one voice in the state and it is that “Jharkhand Pukara, BJP Dubara.”
Elections to the Jharkhand assembly are being held in the state in five phases. The first phase was held on November 30 and the fifth and final phase of polling will take place on December 20. The votes will be counted three days later on December 23.