Sonia Gandhi Calls Citizenship Act 'Discriminatory', CWC Passes Resolution To Withdraw CAA, Stop NPR

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday launched a scathing attack against the Modi government over its contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and termed it 'discriminatory'. While addressing the Congress Working Committee meet, Sonia Gandhi said that amended Citizenship Act is a divisive law which  aims to divide people on religious lines.

"The Citizenship Amendment Act that was passed, amidst strong protest, in the winter session of Parliament, is a big issue before us. The CAA is a discriminatory and divisive law. The sinister purpose of the law is clear to every patriotic, tolerant and secular Indian: it is to divide the Indian people on religious lines," Sonia Gandhi said during the meet.

"Thousands of young men and women, especially students, have realized the grave harm the CAA implementation will cause.  They have taken to the streets braving the cold as well as the police brutalities. I salute their courage, their abiding faith in the values of the Constitution of India, and their determination to defend and protect those values. We are inspired by their struggle," Sonia Gandhi added.

Accusing the prime minister and home minister for making provocative statements, Sonia Gandhi said that as the students protest gains momentum, it is clear that the government is digging in its heels.

Also Read: Citizenship Amendment Act Comes Into Effect Officially As Government Issues Gazette Notification

"Not a day passes without the Home Minister, and on some days the Prime Minister himself, making provocative statements. The CWC must categorically declare that millions of Congress workers will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of India in their struggle for equality, equal protection of the laws, justice and dignity," Congress chief said.

Talking about the violence that erupted at different education institutes after the passage of Citizenship Act and Police actions, Sonia Gandhi said, the situation in some states is alarming, turning the states into police states, notably in Uttar Pradesh and the Union Territory of Delhi.

We are appalled by the police excesses and use of brute force in many towns of UP, in Jamia Millia, in the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Banaras Hindu University, Allahabad University, Delhi University, Gujarat University, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru."

Also Read: Country Going Through Difficult Times, Must Promote Peace: CJI SA Bobde On CAA Pleas