JP Nadda visits Gzb for CAA campaign
GHAZIABAD: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) working president JP Nadda on Sunday called on Dalit leaders and politicians not to “play into the hands of those who were spreading misinformation” over the newly-passed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Nadda was in Ghaziabad to initiate the party’s door to door campaign to spread awareness about the CAA. “I want to say to those engaged in Dalit politics that they are playing into hands of people who are spreading misinformation about the CAA. The new Act gives citizenship to the people who have already come to India by December 31, 2014, and about 70-80% of these are Dalits. So we are working for Dalits,” he said.
He targeted opposition parties for allegedly “spreading misinformation” about the CAA. Naming Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, Nadda said he has been repeatedly challenging him to “speak even 10 lines” on the CAA.
“But we cannot make people, who don’t want to understand, understand. The opposition parties are inciting violence and never condemned incidents of violence. Instead they are trying to divide the society on communal lines (sic),” Nadda added.
Uttar Pradesh spokesperson of the Congress Rajiv Tyagi, on the other hand, said: “Forefathers of all of us have shed blood for the country; why should anyone be producing proof of their citizenship. We wish to challenge them (the BJP) that there is no need for the CAA or the National Register of Citizens. The BJP is trying to indulge in polarisation.”
Several leaders have criticised the CAA. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati had recently suspended an MLA who had spoken for CAA, and Bhim Army chief Chandrasekhar Azad was arrested for protesting against the Act. “Even our efforts in abrogation of Article 370 in J&K benefited our Valmiki brethren. They were initially called to J&K but could get only cleaning work and not domicile certificates. With the Article 370 now gone, Valmikis will now have a chance to move to judicial and administrative services there even,” he added.
Ghaziabad MP General (retired) VK Singh, who was also present, slammed opposition parties for allegedly “planning and hatching” a conspiracy which he alleged led to violence in many parts of the country.
“These people are telling the poor that the new Act is against the Constitution. They are demeaning the country for their political gains. Even some intellectuals are on the same lines. Either they have not read the Act or have closed their eyes and ears. We are saying that no one born in India will be touched,” he said. Party sources said each party worker is to meet at least 50 families and spread information about the CAA.