THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan slammed the Centre for passing the Citizenship Amendment Bill(CAB), which he said is a direct attack on the the secular and democratic character of the nation.
The Constitution of India guarantees equality, in terms of right to citizenship for all those who are eligible, regardless of their religion, caste, language, culture, gender or profession. That right has now been rendered void, he said.The move to confer citizenship based on religious background, is tantamount to a rejection of the Constitution, he added.
The Bill is aimed at dividing people on communal lines and was passed in the Lok Sabha with rather unusual haste and tenacity, the minister said.
The Bill rejects Muslims who have immigrated from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan. On other hand, it accepts people from six other communities from these neighbouring countries, for the purpose of citizenship . The two clauses must be withdrawn., said Pinarayi.
Such discrimination based on religion is a denial of natural justice. Sangh Parivar is not unaware on the fact that, India houses refugees from Sri Lanka, in addition to the three countries stated in the Bill. The Amendment is designed to serve communal agenda of the Sangh Parivar and their devious plans to establish a non-secular state. It is a total violation of the articles of the Constitution that relates to citizenship and fundamental rights, Pinarayi said.
India belongs to all Indians. Attempts to undermine this reality will take our country back to dark ages. It will destroy our hard-fought freedom. We must not let that happen, said the minister.
