CAA an 'unfinished' business of independence, partition: Panda

January 08, 2020 12:05

The amended Citizenship Act providing Indian nationality to persecuted minorities from Pakistan among others was an "unfinished business" of the country's independence and partition, BJP leader Baijayant Jay Panda said on Tuesday.

The CAA was the "only scheme" that lived up to Mahatma Gandhi's assurance to minorities in Pakistan in 1947 that they will always have shelter in their "original homeland," if given no proper security there, he said. Panda also sought to allay any fears over the proposed National Register of Citizens, saying it was only an "idea" welcomed by many people and that no formal proposal has been made.

Speaking to reporters after attending a pro-CAA rally organised by the BJP's state unit, Panda accused the opposition of lying on the Citizenship Act.

"This is one specific scheme which is an unfinished business of our independence and partition. I keep saying that this particular scheme does not prevent others (religions) from applying for (Indian) citizenship."

"This is the only one scheme which lives up to Gandhiji's assurance to the minorities of Pakistan in 1947 that if they are not given shelter, security properly in that country they will always be having shelter in their original homeland," Panda, BJP National Vice-President, said.

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