Omar Abdullah resorting to competitive abetment of communal/sectorial sentiment: Girdhari Lal Raina

Former MLC & JK UT spokesperson of BJP Girdhari Lal Raina has denounced former Chief Minister and NC leader Omar Abdullah for his misleading statement on CAA rules aimed to fan sectorial and communal emotion.

National Conference (NC) vice-president dubbing Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)-2019 rules as Ramzan gift to the Muslims of the country is a naked lie told consciously to mislead and incite. The fact of the matter is that CAA is a citizenship enabling Act and doesn’t take away any right from any citizen of India including the Muslim Indians, said GL Raina. He called CAA as fair, unbiased and humanitarian law.

Explaining further Raina said that the fundamental essence of the CAA lies in its commitment to providing a legal pathway for citizenship acquisition to distinct religious communities— namely, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian—who have sought refuge in India due to religious persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The legislative initiative is explicit in its identification of these communities, reflecting an intention to expedite their assimilation into Indian society through the conferment of citizenship, he added.

The rationale behind the selective focus on these specific religious groups is deeply rooted in a nuanced understanding of the historical and contemporary challenges faced by religious minorities in the aforementioned countries, particularly those residing in Islamic majority nations with historical ties to undivided India, he stressed. By addressing the humanitarian imperative of providing sanctuary, the CAA articulates a commitment to upholding the principles of religious freedom and equality, both integral to the secular fabric of India. The legislative framework signifies an affirmative step towards extending support to those who have experienced persecution solely on the basis of their religious identity.

Former MLC criticised Kashmir centric politicians spreading misinformation for narrow political gains. He cautioned people of Jammu Kashmir against these political vultures who were responsible for death and destruction in the UT. GL Raina reminded people about the insensitivity of Parties like NC towards problems faced by persecuted sections of society like Displaced Kashmiri Pandits

However, amidst the clamour, it is imperative to recognise the genuine intent of the CAA – to provide a structured pathway for citizenship to persecuted religious minorities. Separating fact from fiction is essential in navigating the discourse surrounding the CAA and a nuanced understanding of its objectives is crucial for a more informed and constructive dialogue on this complex and contentious issue.