‘What Do Such Challenges Mean’: P Chidambaram Responds To PM Modi’s Dare

Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday questioned PM Modi over his recent statement wherein the Prime Minister had asked the grand old party to publicly declare that they are prepared to accord Indian citizenship to all Pakistanis. Taking to Twitter, Chidambaram wrote: “Why should we give citizenship to people who are already citizens of Pakistan? What is the meaning of such challenges to the Opposition (sic)?”

Accusing the Modi government of challenging secularism, Chidambaram said, “It is gratifying that the students and the young generation are liberal, secular, tolerant and exhibit humanism. Is the government challenging these values?”

On Tuesday, PM Modi while addressing a public rally in Jharkhand, PM Modi accused the Congress party for peddling lies over the Citizenship Act and creating an atmosphere of fear among Muslims. “The Congress is spreading lies, creating an atmosphere of fear for Muslims over the Citizenship Act. I give my assurances no citizen in the country will be affected by the law,” he stated.

On the issue of Citizenship Amendment Act and the clashes occurred after it got Parliament’s nod, PM Modi said, “I want to know how the new citizenship law encroaches upon rights of Muslims or any Indian citizen.”

He also urged the college and university students protesting against the amended Citizenship Act to bring forth issues for debate and discussion in a “democratic” manner. “I urge the students from universities and colleges to understand their importance, the importance of the place they are studying in. Debate and discuss the decisions and policies of the government and if you find anything wrong, protest in a democratic manner, make your voice reach the government. This government listens to and understands everyone’s voice, emotion,” said Modi.

Leaders of 12 opposition parties led by Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday met President Ram Nath Kovind over the police action in Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi. The Opposition has demanded a judicial probe into Sunday's police action against Jamia students.

“You all have seen that the Modi government seems to have no compulsions when it comes to shutting down people’s voices,” Sonia Gandhi told the media after meeting the president, adding that “we fear the protests may spread further”.