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Former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha on Monday criticized the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) saying that it was against the basic structure of the Constitution and that there was no need for the law as the government already had the power to grant citizenship, The Times of India reported.
Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Sinha who is currently on a 3000-km long Gandhi Shanti March said, “The move is an attempt to divide the society on a religious basis and take the country back to the pre-1947 era.” He also attacked the BJP saying that the “language used in the law” would make it difficult for the law would be implemented. He said, “May be their intention is not to implement it but to mislead people.”
Saying that the government’s move had eroded India’s image as a developing democracy. “European Union Parliament has brought in a resolution against CAA. I am against this step but the government will have to be accountable for denting India’s image in the world,” adding that immigration was a global problem and not just India’s issue.
He said, “Singer Adnan Sami was granted citizenship under the old citizenship law and was also conferred with the Padma award. Sonia Gandhi and Bade Ghulam Ali had also acquired Indian citizenship under the same manner. There was no need to amend the law and give a religious colour to it.”
He also said that relations between Bangladesh and India had soured after the CAA had come into force. “There is a constitutional crisis as the Centre is ignoring state governments which are passing anti-CAA resolutions. The country is also facing social unrest and chaos but instead of reaching out to protestors, the government is suppressing their voice,” he said.
He also spoke about the violence that ensued in Uttar Pradesh all through the CAA protests. “Uttar Pradesh has become the epicenter of violence during the anti-CAA protests. People are staging a dharna peacefully but their blankets and quilts are being snatched and they are being arrested. Is this not terrorism?” he asked.
The former member of the BJP and an ardent critic of Narendra Modi and his government’s policies said that the government had earlier given in to the demands of the people and would have to listen to the public this time around too.
Terming the government and the statements of its ministers as desperate, he said, “The government wants to divert people’s attention from issues like lawlessness, unemployment and suicides by farmers which have taken a backseat.”
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