PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has allayed apprehensions over CAA while slamming ‘few leaders’ for misguiding people on the issue.
Addressing the House on the Congratulatory Motion on CAA moved by Panjim MLA Atanasio Monserrate, Sawant said confusions are deliberately being created to misguide the people.
“Opposition members are not ignorant about the Act. They are well aware about it but are purposely trying to misguide people. CAA was enacted to take care of the minority communities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The CAA, under which non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be given Indian citizenship, came into force from January 10. It was passed by the Parliament on December 11, 2019,” he said as he laid the papers concerning the CAA on the floor of the House.
The CM explained that the number of Hindus in Pakistan declined massively from 13.5 per cent to 1.85 per cent, indicating safety concerns in the neighbouring country. “Where have these people gone? They have either got converted or migrated or crossed the borders. They have come to India. The attempt to give citizenship (to refugees from Pakistan) was made by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who in 1950 assured the Lok Sabha that the refugees would be given (Indian) citizenship,” the Chief Minister said.
He asked the Opposition leaders to read the Act for clarity on the subject. Claiming that he is open to discussion on the issue, he has clarified apprehensions raised by Muslim community during a recent meeting.
He also claimed that some people from outside Goa are trying to poison the minds of local Christians, SC/ST/OBC communities while urging people to not fall prey to such negative tactics. The Chief Minister reiterated that CAA is not cancellation of citizenship.
