Citizenship decided by Centre, CAA will be implemented in states including Kerala: Amit Shah

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Citizenship Amendment Act will be implemented in Kerala as well. He was responding to the media about the stand taken by the chief ministers of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal states against the controversial law.

"The Citizenship Amendment Act is not unconstitutional. Article 11 of the Constitution gives Parliament all powers to make laws relating to citizenship. It is up to the central government to take a decision in this regard. It is expected that everyone will cooperate after the election. They are spreading lies. The law will never be repealed. It is the sovereign decision of the country to ensure Indian citizenship to the people of the country. The law is not for slamming anyone's door. There will be no compromise in the country's security," Shah added.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that the central government, which has notified the provisions of the Citizenship Amendment Act, is trying to unsettle the country as the elections are around the corner. He also stated that there will be no change in the position that the Citizenship Amendment Act, which treats Muslim minorities as second-class citizens, will not be implemented in Kerala.

"The move to divide Indian citizens should be unitedly opposed. It can only be seen as part of the Hindutva communal agenda of the Sangh Parivar. It is a flagrant violation of the Constitution to grant citizenship to non-Muslims who immigrated to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014, and to deny citizenship to only Muslims. Indian citizenship is defined on the basis of religion. It is an open challenge to humanity, the country's tradition and the people," CM Vijayan added.