PANJIM: Reiterating the party’s stand that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is not for taking anyone’s citizenship, BJP National Working President J P Nadda tried to convince the people of Goa that the Act is not against any community.
Addressing a large rally, mostly BJP workers that were brought in buses, Nadda also came down heavily on the Opposition Congress Party for instigating and misleading the people on the CAA.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modiji has taken several decisions, which remained pending even 70 years after Independence; it is your vote that gave him absolute majority of 302 seats and strength to take such tough decisions,” said Nadda.
Nadda said that CAA is basically to give protection and rights to minorities of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, who have come to India as refugees before December 31, 2014.
“No more refugees will come to India,” he said.
BJP working president said that in 1947, India was divided on lines of religion. He appealed Dalit leaders who are opposing CAA to get their thinking right.
“You have to understand that 70-80 per cent people who have come from neighbouring countries to India due to religious persecution are from Dalit communities,” Nadda said.
“They are oppressed people who have suffered. We have to bring them into mainstream,” he said.
Nadda asked people not to fall prey to those misguiding on CAA.
He also remembered and hailed former defence minister late Manohar Parrikar for his contribution to the country in defence sector.
Union Minister for AYUSH Shripad Naik, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar, Deputy Chief Minister Mnaohar Ajgaonkar, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, BJP President Vinay Tendulkar, were amongst those present on the dais.
Earlier speaking, Union Minister Shripad Naik said that having left with no issues, the Congress Party was trying to create confusion in the minds of the people as they have been losing ground in the country.
He said that Congress Party itself had supported this Act in the past but now when they are in the Opposition, they are finding it as anti minorities.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that Goa is the only State with Uniform Civil Code and we are proud of it. He said that some elements are purposely trying to create confusion and fear to disturb the peace and harmony of the State.
“Goa has come here to tell BJP president that Goa supports CAA. Christian community is being misled by Congress on CAA about Portuguese passport. CAA is to give citizenship for minorities of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh,” he said.
He said that the Portuguese passport holders will not be impacted with the CAA.
