the goan I network
VASCO
Former minister Rajendra Arlekar yesterday said around 10,000 people from all walks of life and various communities in Mormugao taluka are expected to participate in a rally in support of the Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) on February 2.
Addressing a news conference under the banner of “Mormugao supports CAA- Nation First”, Arlekar said the rally would be non-political to create awareness on CAA, adding that many institutions had voluntarily offered support to the CAA rally in Vasco on Sunday.
“This rally, which will be a show of strength and support to the CAA, will begin at 3 pm from KTC bus stand and culminate at the MMC building, where we will also have a meeting. A lot of social and other institutions have extended support to the rally. We initially thought we may have around 1,000 participants but with growing support, we are expecting around 10,000 people from all walks of life and all religions residing in Mormugao taluka to participate in the rally,” said Arlekar.
“A lot of misinformation and messages are being spread among people regarding the CAA and through the rally, we aim to explain the facts and advantages of having the CAA and how important it is for the nation.”
“I appeal to all people from Mormugao taluka to join us in the rally on Sunday and be present at Kadamba Bus stand. The CAA is important because many minorities in neighbouring countries, who have been harassed and persecuted, have arrived in India and are presently stateless. This CAA will allot all those people Indian citizenship and this has nothing to do with any Indian citizens,” said Arlekar.
Questioning claims that the CAA is a violation of the preamble of the Constitution, Arlekar added: “I appeal to the media to enquire with protestors as to which clause of the Preamble of the Constitution has affected them and why are they opposing it.”
“When a certain law affects a person, he can either support or oppose it, but when a law does not affect anyone at all, what is the reason to oppose it? Nobody has an answer as to why they are opposing the CAA whereas we have all reasons to support the CAA,” said Arlekar.
