Can non-BJP CMs thwart Citizenship Act’s nationwide rollout?

Can non-BJP CMs thwart Citizenship Act’s nationwide rollout?

New Delhi: On Friday, in a packed hall at the Indian Women’s Press Corps in New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath alleged that the newly-amended Citizenship Act was an attempt by the BJP-ruled Centre to change the narrative by “design”.

Calling it a “process that sows seeds of divisiveness,” Nath joined a long list of non-BJP Chief Ministers who raised their voice against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), risking its nationwide rollout.

Though Nath has not been as militant in his opposition as his Punjab counterpart Amarinder Singh, but the ever growing list of Chief Ministers who are not okay with the amended Act stand a real chance to thwart its nationwide implementation.

There’s a big question mark on the fate of the Act, even after obtaining the presidential assent. Branding it “unconstitutional “, many Chief Ministers have spoken out against implementing it. Does that mean the Act is of no use any more and more importantly, can they?

Amarinder Singh, Punjab:

Punjab Chief Minister and Congress leader Amarinder Singh was one of the first to articulate his stand. On Thursday, he said that his government would not allow the legislation to be implemented in the state.

Asserting his commitment to the protection of the Constitutional ethos of the country, Amarinder Singh said the Congress, which has a majority in the state Assembly, would block the “unconstitutional” Act in the House.

Parliament had no authority to pass a law that violated the Constitution and violated its basic principles and fundamental rights of the people of India, said the Punjab Chief Minister, declaring CAA to be “null and void” on account of the fact that it was against the tenets and values contained in the Constitution.

“How can you leave out a large section of the Indian population from the protection they have been getting since we declared India a ‘sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic’, assuring its citizens justice, equality and liberty?”, asked Amarinder Singh, pointing out that by linking citizenship with religion, the CAA would hit at the very foundation of the nation.

Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala:

Congress’ Singh isn’t alone but is joined by CPM leader and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in his opposition to the Act. In a scathing attack on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Vijayan on Thursday said, “Come what may, it’s not going to see the light of day in Kerala.”

“The CAB is absolutely undemocratic and against the basic tenets of the Constitution. For the world outside, the CAB is a shame for India. This is nothing but the agenda of the RSS to make the country a ‘Hindu Rashtra’,” said Vijayan.

“We will not accept it”, he said, adding “it won’t take shape in Kerala.”

Of the 33 million Kerala population, Muslims account for around 20 per cent and Christians around 18 per cent. No wonder then that Vijayan had asserted, “It’s quite certain that the Bill will not pass judicial scrutiny as the very essence of our secular character has been affected. When the Partition took place, lots of Muslims opted for India as they did not want to live in a religious country. The RSS is now trying to do what was done in Pakistan then. But this will be opposed.” (IANS)

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