Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday dared Congress and other Opposition parties saying that if they have guts they should openly declare that they will give Indian citizenship to every Pakistani refugee, restore Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir and abolish Triple Talaq law.
Modi addressing his last election rallies in poll-bound Jharkhand at Barhiat — the traditional stronghold of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and one of two seats from where JMM executive president Hemant Soren is contesting election, accused Congress of spreading lies on Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Modi said, “Congress and other opposition parties are spreading lies, they are spreading violence. Congress is instigating Muslims for political gains.”
The Prime Minister blamed the Congress and its allies of raising a storm over citizenship law and asserted that the Opposition parties were behind the unrest and arson in parts of the country.
Modi once again assured that with CAA no people irrespective of their religion (Hindus, Muslim, Christian, Sikhs and Buddhist) will be affected with new Act. He said, “The CAA is for giving citizenship to minority population coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The Congress and Opposition parties are creating fear in the minds of Muslims.”
Speaking about the violent protests at Jamia University, PM Modi appealed the students not to get played in the hands of Congress. He said, "You should understand your importance and your institutions.
If you have any confusion or problem you should come and discuss, the Government is ready. The protestors should raise their voice in a democratic manner, I appeal to youth in colleges to debate our policies, protest democratically.”
Ever since the Parliament passes the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) on Wednesday, large scale violence has been reported from various parts of country. Students from educational institutions such as Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have taken to the streets protesting the new law.
On Tuesday, violence was reported in northeast Delhi's Seelampur area as demonstrators pelted stones at police personnel who fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. The protesters raised slogans against the act, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Government.
The Citizenship Amendment 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.
On local issues, PM Modi addressing the crowd said, “Here is only one voice in the State — 'Jharkhand Pukara BJP Dobara'. This voice has strengthened because Lotus has ensured development in the State. When Lotus blossoms youth, women, old, tribals, the backward areas are benefitted.”
The Prime Minister, on the occasion, also highlighted the various infrastructural and development work carried out by Raghubar Das government. He said, “The biggest achievement of Raghubar Das government is that it has given stability in State and has completed its tenure without any graft charges.” The Prime Minister also highlighted the various infrastructural works initiated in Santhal Pargana such as construction of big bridges, providing drinking water to households, farmers getting double bonanza through PM Kishan and Ashirwad Yojana among others. He also talked about construction of AIIMS and Airport in Deoghar, medical college in Dumka and inland waterways in Sahibganj among others.
Sources said the battle of Santhal is important for both BJP and JMM. The Saffron party is working hard to breach JMM stronghold as JMM maximum MLAs are from this region. The 16 Assembly seats in Santhal will go to poll on December 20.