Jaipur, Jan 25 (IANS): Congress-ruled Rajasthan became the first state in the country on Saturday to pass a resolution against not only the new citizenship law CAA but also against National Register of Citizens and National Population Register. So far only Kerala and Punjab have passed resolutions only against CAA.
State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal presented the resolution in the Assembly amid sloganeering by opposition BJP MLAs, many of whom stormed the well of the House.
The resolution says the Citizenship Amendment Act "flouts the basic nature of the Constitution" and a substantial section of the people believes that NPR and NRC have the same base. The Census should continue only after taking back the new provision as introduced in the NPR, it said.
It said amendments introduced recently under CAA "divides people on religious grounds" and also "deprive a particular community of availing Indian citizenship".
A large number of people will face inconveniences with proposed additional information as sought under the Act and that no one will benefit from it. Assam is a living example, it said.
The Central govt should revoke amendments in CAA and clear doubts of citizens on NPR. "Our Constitution clearly says that India is a secular nation and Article 14 of the Constitution clearly makes it clear that no person in the territory of India will be deprived of equality before law or equal protection of laws. The goal of the Citizenship Amendment Act-2019 i.e. CAA is to differentiate illegal immigrants on the basis of religion".
The resolution said after independence, for the first time in the history of the country, such a law has been brought that differentiates people on the basis of religion. "This will put the country's secular fabric at risk".
No provision has been made in CAA about migrants from other neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan, which raises many questions, said the resolution.