CPI(M) opposes CAA, claims it violates secular principle of Constitution

“The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly opposes the notification of the rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). The CAA violates the secular principle of citizenship enshrined in the Constitution by linking citizenship to religious identity,” the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said.

Also Read: TN govt will not implement “divisive” CAA in the state: CM Stalin

‘Discriminatory approach’

“The rules notified under the Act operationalise this discriminatory approach towards Muslims coming from neighbouring countries. The implementation of the Act is also linked to the creation of a National Register of Citizens raising apprehensions that citizens of Muslim origin will be targeted,” it added.

Sharing the statement on X, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury alleged that the notification that comes ahead of the Lok Sabha polls is aimed at “sharpening communal divide”.

“On the eve of general elections, the (Narendra) Modi govt notifies rules under the CAA. This is clearly aimed at sharpening communal polarisation and seeking to electorally benefit,” Yechury said in his post on X.

The CPI(M) in its statement also said the rules have been devised to exclude the state governments from the process of identifying and enrolling people for citizenship in their state. “This has obviously been done to exclude those state governments which have opposed the CAA itself,” it said.

On the eve of general elections, Modi govt notifies rules under CAA. This is clearly aimed at sharpening communal polarisation and seeking to electorally benefit.
The rules have been so devised as to exclude the state governments from the process of identifying and enrolling… pic.twitter.com/rNpjSEU2UD

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) March 12, 2024

Also Read: IUML moves SC for stay on “unconstitutional” CAA rules

Questions the timing

The CPI(M) also questioned the timing of the notification.

“The timing of the notification of the rules more than four years after the adoption of the CAA and just days before the notification for the Lok Sabha election makes it clear that the BJP wants to use the implementation of the CAA for divisive and polarising purposes,” it said.

“The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) reiterates its opposition to the CAA and its implementation and will continue with efforts to get this pernicious law annulled,” the party said.

With the CAA rules being notified, the Modi government will now start granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants — Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians — from the three countries.

The CAA was passed in December 2019 and subsequently, received the President’s assent but there were protests in several parts of the country against it. The law could not come into effect as rules had not been notified till now.

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