the goan I network
PONDA
Speakers at a largely attended meeting in Ponda on Saturday called upon people to oppose the controversial Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) on grounds that it is discriminatory and violates the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.
They were addressing a public meeting organised by the Goa Unity Forum at the Ponda bus stand, after hundreds of people first took part in a rally from St Mary Church to the Old Bus stand in Ponda.
Speaking against the CAA, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population of Register (NPR), social activist Arvind Bhatikar accused the BJP at the Centre of making laws against the Muslims to gain the Hindu vote bank and attain power.
“But they will not be successful as people will not allow the country to be divided on religious grounds. In order to protect the Constitution, everyone should support the anti-CAA agitation,” said Bhatikar.
“It is the duty of every nationalist to follow the Indian Constitution, however the BJP at the Centre is eyeing the vote bank. Since the Bajaria and Ahmadiyya communities in Afghanistan and Tamil Hindus in Sri Lanka are persecuted, the BJP should have taken steps to give them opportunities under the CAA. But the BJP is only concerned about its Hindu vote bank,” said Bhatikar.
Ponda MLA Ravi Naik recalled that people from all religious had participated in the fight against British for independence, the CAA would divide people along religious lines.
“Those unable to produce necessary documents may be sent to detention camps,” feared Naik.
Claiming that the Indian Constitution united people of different religions, Noted writer N Shivdas said the Constitution should be considered as a
holy book and appealed to the people to oppose the implementation of the CAA.
“The agitation will continue till the CAA is withdrawn,” said Shivdas.
AAP leader Valmiki Naik stated that about 19 lakh infiltrators had been identified in Assam through the NRC, of which 12 lakh are Hindus and 4 lakh are Muslims.
“The BJP is eyeing the 12 lakh votes and has passed this CAA. Hence, this law should be opposed,” he said.
Muzaffar Shaikh, Tara Kerkar and others also spoke at the public meeting.
