the goan I network
PANAJI
In response to his call for protest against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, Arvind Bhatikar on Tuesday claimed he had received a good response from all quarters.
He expressed confidence that at the meeting a loud and clear message from Goans will be sent to the BJP Government at the Centre that they cannot sabotage the country’s secular Constitution.
Bhatikar has repeated his call to Goans across all political leanings to join him as he sits in protest at the Azad Maidan in Panaji at 4.30 pm on December 18, Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has extended its support to Bhatikar’s protest call, president Girish Chodankar said on Tuesday.
“The Congress party is committed to protecting the secular fabric of this country and will fight the divisive politics of BJP. We appeal to all to participate in large numbers in the protest to oppose the CAA. We Goans by nature are secular and progressive and known worldwide for this,” Chodankar said. He added that the downfall of the Modi-led BJP had already begun and that the dictatorial regime would face a strong backlash from the people.
“The Modi government is trying to divert the attention of the public from its total failures on the economic front by such acts of divisive politics. If we allow Modi and the BJP to succeed with this Act, he will destroy our Constitution and the 5000-year old idea of India,” Chodankar said appealing to other “secular” leaders in power to also join the protest if they were truly secular.
Muslim body derides law
the goan I network
PANAJI
The Association of All Goa Muslim Jamats (AAGMJ) on Tuesday demanded the withdrawal of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, calling it “unconstitutional” and against the “secular ethos of the nation.”
Shaikh Bashir Ahmed, president of the AAGMJ, said the CAA is against the Constitution and violates articles 14, 15 and 21. He called the bill “communal, divisive and regressive” and that it will damage the unity and plural nature of India.
The Association stated that the Act has already damaged the image of the nation in the eyes of the international community.
“The Muslims in India have been very patient in the recent past and its leadership has shown great maturity in the eyes of repeated provocations,” stated Shaikh Bashir. He went on to say that Muslims have been patient even after repeated hate speeches by parliamentarians, legislators, and others, while none of these individuals faced any legal action.
However, both the CAA and the National Register for Citizens (NRC) have far-reaching consequences and Indian Muslims who rejected the two-nation theory and stayed back in India understand the potential damage it can cause, he went on to say. In addition to demanding the withdrawal of the CAA at the Centre, the Association said it has made a representation to the Goa legislators to exercise their constitutional duties and protect the constitution.
