Stop Violence in the Name of Demonstration

We have to essentially understand the definition and the legally permissible means of Demonstration. Any crime/ violence shouldn't be encouraged in the name of demonstration.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), was enacted on 12 December 2019 in India. The Act seeks to amend the definition of illegal immigrant for Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Buddhist and Christian immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who have lived in India without documentation.

This act is designed to grant citizenship to the minority communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who are persecuted in the name of religion. It is also clear that the citizenship of any Indian citizen is not being taken away under this law. The main objective of this law is that all the immigrants from the neighbouring countries of religious persecution, who have come to India before 31st December 2014 and living as refugees in India, should be linked to the mainstream by giving full citizenship of India, so that they should get the right to live in this country with respect.

As we all know that the three countries mentioned in the CAA are Muslim majority nation, and Muslims do not face any harassment on religious grounds. The CAA is clearly a law made for people suffering religious persecution that is neither anti-national nor anti-Muslim. We all need to understand these facts and their nuances better.

This law is very clear and easy to understand. But by incorrect information and the rumors spread among the people through various media have created an atmosphere of hostility in the country. The opposition parties have spread confusion over the Citizenship Amendment Act. By provoking people against the act, they have created an atmosphere of fear all over the country. For their political interest, the opposition parties, including the Congress are fomenting their political loopholes by organizing mass agitations, dharna, and demonstrations against the government and are constantly trying to achieve their political goals by destabilizing the system.

The people should understand that no religion or caste is going to be harmed by the enactment of CAA. The Muslim community especially, who are considering it as anti-Muslim law need to understand that there is no threat to their citizenship from the CAA. The Government has already assured the people of the country in clear terms that there is no threat from the CAA to any citizen of India, whatever religion they belong to. Government has announced that "You are all Indians and this India is yours". In this context, people should use their intellect and act with restraint. There is no need to be intimidated by the ghost of the CAA created by the opposition and anti-nationals and become political pawn.

Anti-CAA protests are going on all over the country. Anti-national statements by anti-social elements are also coming out in this atmosphere of slogans and rhetoric statements. Furious and provocative speeches coming from the leaders of few political parties, groups and organizations under the guise of CAA protests are being tirelessly trying to provoke the general public involved in the protests and slander their minds with communal hatred. In the latest development, the anti-national statement of JNU student Sharjeel Imam has been heard by the whole country, which is truly reprehensible and condemnable. Speaking to separate Assam Pradesh from India and instigating the Muslim community to drive around the country is against the national integrity and is crime. It is to understand that, the statements of Sharajeel Imam, who provokes the extremism and violence in the people, should not be tolerated at all. Although Sharjeel Imam has been arrested under the sedition section, the public needs to take cognizance of how an anti-national rhetoric managed to manipulate as well-wishers, protector and gained your sympathy!

After enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act, the country virtually got divided into two classes; one class is supporting this law, while the other class is against the law. The opposition to the law is so intense and widespread that people are on the streets, whether in the national capital Delhi, or capital of Uttar Pradesh- Lucknow, from Sambhal to Mau and from Bangalore to Guwahati and Murshidabad. The opposition parties have created such confusion among the people that it has created a do or die situation, whereas the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is repeatedly reiterating that this law does not pose any threat to the citizenship of any community, especially Muslims. The protest and agitation in Delhi gradually turned violent and resulted in riots at several places. More than 50 people lost their lives, though not a single person lost his Indian citizenship so far, neither any genuine citizen of this country will ever lose his citizenship.

Now the big question is how much price our country is going to pay because of the political ambition, desire and greed of a few people to acquire power by all means? May the current turmoil will subside gradually with the passing time and people of this country will get their answer, but the present in itself a testimony to the fact that we the public seldom use our wisdom and get easily carried away by the negative influence.