CAA: Kerala to approach SC again

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government will again approach the Supreme Court against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act. The Cabinet meeting instructed the Advocate General to take further action in the case filed in the Supreme Court in January 2020.

Further action will be in line with the government's stand that the amendment is discriminatory and a violation of fundamental rights. The government has made it clear that the law will not be implemented in the state. Minister P Rajeev said that the law will be pointed out in the Supreme Court as unconstitutional. AG is in Delhi for discussions with senior lawyers.

Kerala is the first state to approach the Supreme Court against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The Assembly had passed a resolution against the amendment. The suit petition was filed under Article 131 of the Constitution. The petition pointed out that the amendment is a violation of equality under Article 14 of the Constitution and that there will be discrimination against Muslims through law. The Muslim League had filed a petition last day asking for a stay of the rules. Earlier, the Supreme Court had refused to stay the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Kerala's argument

• The demand to declare it unconstitutional is based on denial of the right to equality, discrimination and non-secular nature.
• The rules were notified while this petition was pending before the Supreme Court. In view of this, the amendment should be repealed immediately.