No Going Back On CAA: Amit Shah Says Modi Government Rock-Firm To Give Citizenship To Persecuted Minorities

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday (17 December) stated that the government was rock-firm to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and provide citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from three neighbouring countries, The Times of India reported.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president also clarified on the police crackdown at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University, saying the police action was required to contain mob violence that damaged public property. The situation had to be brought under control, Shah said.

“Violence in any form can not be justified. However, do you think law and order can be ensured by waiting for things to worsen?” Shah asked.

Saying that the situation in Jamia was further deteriorating and there was a big crowd of outsiders apart from students. “It is being probed from where the stones came from. There were a large number of outsiders other than students. Video footage is showing how many buses were burnt. How will violence be contained in such a situation?” questioned Home Minister Shah.

Speaking at the India Economic Conclave, the Minister alleged that some people were exaggerating the protests. He mentioned that only around 22 universities or colleges had witnessed demonstrations against CAA, while they were on large scale in four campuses - Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), JMI, Nadwa College, Lucknow, and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi.

“One should know that there are over 400 universities in the country and reports of agitation have been reported from around 22,” Shah said.

He also reaffirmed that there was no going back on the CAA and the Modi government will provide citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan so that they could lead a life with dignity.