The budget session of the Parliament kicked in with action today. The house went into ruckus after President’s hailing of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Giving the mandatory joint address President Ram Nath Kovind was listing government’s achievement in the last year.
The President hailed CAA and termed it as a ‘historic law’. The President further quoted the act as ‘good’ for persecuted minorities. Slogans of ‘shame’ were raised by the opposition in response.
In his address President also hailed other efforts of the Narendra Modi government. He said historic decisions like the Citizenship Amendment Act, Article 370, triple talaq, among others were taken by the government.
The President also linked the act to ‘Mahatma Gandhi’s’ vision. He said “after the Partition, Mahatma Gandhi had said that Hindus and Sikhs who don’t want to reside in Pakistan can come to India and it is the Indian government’s responsibility to provide them means to lead a normal life”.
“Supporting this vision of Mahatma Gandhi, various governments from time-to-time have taken steps to further this. It is our duty to honor the wishes of our founding fathers. I am happy that by passing the Citizenship Amendment Act with a majority, both the houses of Parliament have fulfilled the wishes of Mahatma Gandhi,” he added.
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President also highlighted recent attacks on Sikhs in Pakistan. He said such atrocities against religious minorities in Pakistan shall be highlighted at the international level. Protest against CAA have been going in various parts of the country. The government, however, has refused to go back on its decision.
