Team Herald
PANJIM: Former South Goa MP and NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar has called Archbishop’s statement on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as “divisive”. He further stated that Archbishop should have waited for the court verdict before making any such comment.
It may be recalled that the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao, had recently urged the central government to “immediately and unconditionally revoke the Citizenship Amendment Act” and stop quashing the “right to dissent”.
“Let the Archbishop be informed that CAA is a law and that any law can be repealed or rescinded by: 1) an act of legislature or 2) the Court striking it down. In the present case, the challenge is already before the SC (Supreme Court),” Sawaikar said on his social media handle.
Sawaikar added that if CAA is discriminatory for the Goa Archbishop, then Article 30 of Constitution of India is more discriminatory.
“Don’t claim benefits at taxpayer’s money by claiming minority status!” he said while, adding “The Archbishop’s statement is based on ifs and buts and is without any logic, reasoning and rationale. In fact, CAA is not divisive but the statement is”.
He reiterated his question as to why the Archbishop should oppose CAA when the Supreme Court is hearing and will decide a challenge to the law. “A 14 year Catholic girl is fighting for justice in Pakistan and crores of people are supporting CAA,” he stated further while adding that the Church’s opposition was unfounded.
