Ahmedabad, Aug 18 (IANS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday granted Indian citizenship to 188 Pakistani Hindus in Ahmedabad under the newly implemented Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), marking a milestone as the first instance of citizenship being conferred in Gujarat. The moment came as a big relief for those taking refuge in India, after having fled religious persecution in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the government remains steadfast in providing citizenship to the oppressed minorities including Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs from the neighbouring countries and also slammed the appeasement politics of Congress-led INDIA bloc.

Shah stated, "I congratulate these families who got citizenship. I am even happier that this is happening in Gujarat. CAA is an initiative to give people their rights and justice. The Congress party never gave people their rights until 2014. Lakhs and crores of people kept waiting for their rights, but they never got justice under the INDIA bloc."

Notably, the Gujarat government has granted Indian citizenship to 1,167 people in Ahmedabad district under CAA, so far.

Giving a historical context of CAA, Shah added, "Crores of Indians cannot forget the issues faced by people during Partition based on religion. Congress did not give citizenship to our people to appease their vote bank. Our history will always remember this. What was the fault of these people who left their property and came here to save their daughters and wives? The law is to safeguard these people. Crores of Hindus, Jain, and Sikh will get justice through this law."

He also sought to dispel concerns among the Muslim community, clarifying, "I want to make it clear for my Muslim brothers and sisters that this is not to take anyone’s citizenship but to give them citizenship. Earlier, many people were provoked against this law. No one will have to give up their citizenship. Some people just want to mislead the larger public. Your jobs, house, and citizenship are safe. This law is only to give you justice."

In addition to the citizenship ceremony, Amit Shah launched development projects worth approximately Rs 1,000 crore in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. He also inaugurated the Oxygen Park of Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in the Bodakdev area of the city and urged citizens to join a nationwide tree plantation campaign to protect the environment.

Shah praised AMC’s initiative to plant 30 lakh trees in 100 days, emphasising the importance of environmental conservation. "I request the citizens of Ahmedabad to join AMC in sowing 30 lakh saplings in the coming 100 days. This is an initiative by AMC. Ahmedabad people should also plant saplings in society and schools and take care of low carbon emissions. We need to increase more oxygen; it is our collective responsibility."

Shah highlighted the global environmental challenge: "Global warming is a threat to human life today. 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' is an initiative by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and we should follow it. We should raise a plant like our child."