Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has once again criticised the BJP for “imposing” the Citizenship (Amendment) Act despite widespread opposition across the country including Goa wherein large number of Goans hold Portuguese passports.
Condemning the government for enacting CAA, a meeting of the party office bearers demanded its immediate withdrawal “to protect the interest of the Indians particularly youth.”
Party spokesman Trajano D’Mello has also demanded that Pramod Sawant-led BJP government issue a clarification on the issue considering that the State has hinted at NRC’s (National Register of Citizens) enforcement in Goa.
“CAA without NRC has no teeth and so is NRC without CAA. All type of census such as National population Register, which will begin in April 2020 is being done to eliminate original Indians particularly poor who will find it difficult to prove their citizenship,” he said adding, “We need absolute clarity from Chief Minister (Pramod Sawant) on this because the government has already indicated that NRC is coming.”
The party has yet again raised concern on the fate of Goans holding Portuguese passport while also demanding that an amendment be made to ensure these section of people are protected and their interest safeguarded.
On Goa Liberation Day, the chief minister had appealed people “not to fall prey to the misleading propaganda against CAA. Wwhether Hindu, Muslim or Christians…there is no need to worry about CAA as it is not going to have any impact.”
Meanwhile, the GPCC has accused the BJP of planting its “agents” to perpetrate violence at anti-CAA protests as it pointed out on how pro-CAA protests are being held peacefully. “This has aroused suspicion. The BJP agents are triggering violence at protests opposing the CAA,” D’Mello said.
GPCC President Girish Chodankar informed that the party will hold a flag march on December 28 to “expose” the misdeeds of the BJP government such as economic slowdown in the country, unemployment, unprecedented price rise, atrocities on women, etc.
