Students sternly voice against passing of CAA-NRC

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Around 150 people from various student bodies had strong objections against the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act (2019) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) at Freedom Park on Saturday.

After much controversy, the Ministry of Home affairs had reportedly notified the Citizen Amendment Rules, 2024, a fortnight ago.

This would enable the implementation of the CAA passed by the parliament, four years ago. Surjo, a member from the Students For People’s Democracy (SFPD) stressed the country’s ‘unconditional citizenship’ as an unique feature of the country.

“However, that is being communalised and confined to specific religions,” he said.

The amendment avails citizenship for eligible religious minorities persecuted in other countries. The bill states Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parisis or Christian.

“The muslims are left out here. There is a rhetoric that it’s the Muslims from Bangladesh who would be sent back,” Surjo said.

He also claimed that the Hindu refugees in Bengal are not happy. “The question of belongingness comes in. It seems the country is being sold to the tycoons,” Surjo alleged.

Naseer, a member from the Students’ Islamic Organisation alleged that the notification was to cover the government’s failures.

“It is clear indication of divisive politics,” he alleged.

Recently, a report suggested that a person had committed suicide, after getting ‘haunted’ by the consequences of the CAA. The person had taken the drastic step, since their parents didn’t have supporting documents to prove their citizenship.