Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Feb 6: "The union government introduced citizenship related laws not out of love for the country but to secure victory in another two Lok Sabha (LS) elections and hold onto power in the centre," said former minister B L Shankar.
He was speaking at the awareness workshop opposing Citzenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Registry of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR) that was held in the city on Thursday, February 6 by Dakshina Kannada district Congress.
Shankar further said, "Seventy-three years after Indian attained independence, the Muslims of India are being looked at with suspicion. Otherwise, why their formed an act based on religion? They have made the act to attract the majority through emotion and win the next two Lok Sabha elections.
"Do not trouble 130 crore Indians in order to trace a few people who have entered the country illegally. Implementing CAA across the country will be a waste of time as it was proved in the implementation of the same in the state of Assam. 70% of India's population still lives in villages. Out of them less than 20% hold land. As much as 50% of our country's population are daily wage labourers. If NRC is implemented, poorer section of the society will receive a severe blow. If the government thinks that it will affect only minorities, then it is their illusion.
"Many states have already said that this act will be detrimental for their very existence in this country. When the reality is this, is it a child's play to make 130 crore Indians stand in queue for NRC document verification?
"After the Indian Citizenship Act was formed in 1955 there have been several amendments to it. However, it was not amended on religious lines even once. If they are giving citizenship, let them give to everyone. Keeping one religion out of it is not right.
"It is not possible to identify a particular tribe or sect as the natives of that country. Countries like America and Australia were built by migrants. Similarly, people from all over the world have arrived in India and are living here. Migration is the natural inclination of a human being. If NRC does not cause any issue to anyone in the country, then why are the statements of Modi and Amit Shah contradictory?
"BJP which never celebrates Independence Day of India are now holding national flag in one hand and constitution in the other. This is the result of the protests against CAA that is taking place throughout the country."
B L Shankar advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to follow equality like former BJP prime minister Atal Bihari Vajapayee.
District Congress president Harish Kumar, former minister Ramanath Rai, former MLAs J R Lobo, Mohiuddin Bava, Shakunatala Shetty, B Ibrahim, leaders like Ibrahim Kodijal, Shahul Hamid, B H Khader, Mamata Gatty, Suresh Ballal and Naveen D'Souza were present.
'Rs 76,000 crores for NRC implementation'
"To conduct the NRC exercise throughout India it will cost the union government exchequer an amount of Rs 76,000 crores. When the economic situation of the country is in dire straits, how the union government will manage such a huge amount?" questioned Bhavya Narasimha Murthy, president of Priyadarshini Youth Committee.
Bhavya further said, "This time the union government is trying to implement NPR through census. The union government has said that there will be additional questions in census. If NPR survey is over, it is like completion of 80% of NRC. Then the suspected citizens will be identified and action will be taken against them.
"For NRC documents like voter identity card, passport and aadhar card are not acceptable. If the union government does this throughout the country, most of the citizens will be in trouble."