the goan I network
MARGAO
High Court lawyer and Constitutional expert, Adv Cleofato Almeida Coutinho on Friday has said the country did not require any change in the citizenship law, saying that it required is a refugee law and a refugee policy dealing with illegal immigrants.
Speaking on ‘understanding CAA and its implications’ organised by the Concerned Citizens of Goa at Fatorda on Saturday Adv Coutinho further said the country has a mixed bag in dealing with illegal immigrants, adding that despite there being no law, the country has given asylum to the Tibetans, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis and even Rohingyas.
Dealing with the government claim that the minorities are persecuted in the neighbouring Islamic countries, he said that the decision of the country to grant citizenship deserves to be celebrated as it is humanism and humanitarian principles demand shelter being given to the persecuted and who have nowhere to go.
He, however, said that humanism cannot have religious borders and it is in that context condemned the Citizenship Amendment Act, terming it as highly discriminatory. Adv Coutinho pointed out that nowhere in the world citizenship is based upon religious principles and for the first time, the country has injected a communal virus into an Indian legal system.
“Even during partition when Pakistan was formed on religious lines, despite a highly communally charged atmosphere in the country, our country opted for tolerance of all faiths and the India of India emerged from that. Our Constitution places a huge emphasis diversity and inclusiveness which we have cherished for over 70 years,” he said.
Saying that the world respects the country for its diversity, he said “the idea of India according to me is that idea which celebrates diversity,” asserting that the CAA is opposed to the foundational principles of Indian Constitution.
Adv Coutinho further pointed out that a law which gives citizenship to a section based on their religion and sends another section to detention centers just because of their faith can never be a fair law.
Referring to the NRC, he stated that nowhere in the world citizens are asked to prove their citizenship retrospectively.
Referring to a large section of minority community in the audience, he cautioned them that this is not a religious issue but a constitutional issue and called upon right thinking citizens to come together in protecting the idea of India and the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
