Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, CM Pinarayi Vijayan spearheads anti-CAA rallies across Kerala

Following the Kozhikode rally, the campaign will move to Kasaragod on 23 March, Kannur on 24 March, Malappuram on 25 March, and Kollam on 27 March — covering major districts across the state.

The CAA, which was passed in Parliament in December 2019, came into force in January 2020, and on Monday, without any prior announcement, the Union government notified the rules, which were framed by the Committees on Subordinate Legislation, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.

The legislation grants Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan — namely Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians. The list, however, excludes Muslims.

Also Read: Kerala moves SC seeking stay on CAA implementation

Significance

According to party sources, these rallies are strategically planned to garner widespread support and mobilise public opinion against the CAA, emphasising Kerala’s unwavering stance on upholding constitutional values and inclusive citizenship rights.

Meanwhile, the timing of these rallies holds particular significance as they precede the Lok Sabha elections.

It is said that such an initiative would provide a platform for political leaders to engage with voters on critical issues such as citizenship rights and constitutional values.

A post by Kerala CM’s Office, which says CAA will not be implemented in Kerala.

The mass rallies come amidst ongoing debates and legal challenges surrounding the CAA, which has been a contentious issue since its inception.

Kerala has been at the forefront of opposing the legislation, citing concerns about its discriminatory nature and potential repercussions on the country’s diverse social fabric.

The state on 17 March had filed a fresh plea in the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the implementation of the CAA, Rules, contending that it was discriminatory and arbitrary, and that it contravened the principles of secularism.

Terming the CAA Rules “unconstitutional”, the state government said classifications based on religion and country were discriminatory, arbitrary, and unreasonable.

Meanwhile, the Congress in Kerala alleged that the state government had a double standard as it registered 835 cases in connection with the 2019 protests against this legislation and was yet to withdraw them.