CAA divisive, dangerous for country: Amarinder Singh

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here on Monday termed Citizenship Amendment Act "divisive and dangerous" for country, reiterating his stand that his government will t allow its implementation in state. Addressing Congress leaders and workers during a protest march here, Singh urged people to unite against "draconian" legislation and said his party would fight "tooth and nail" against it.

"Indians should unite against BJP's divisive and dangerous attempts to destroy nation's secular fabric with draconian Citizenship Amendment Act," said Singh.

"My government will t allow implementation of CAA in Punjab and Congress will fight against it tooth and nail," said Amarinder Singh, who was joined by senior Congress leaders Asha Kumari and Sunil Jakhar.

CM said BJP could t get away with its "nefarious designs" and pointed out that protests against "draconian Act" were continuing in 16 states. He also read out preamble of Constitution, terming it India's foundation which, according to him, should t be disturbed. While constitutions were amended from time to time across world, one could tolerate tinkering with ir basic structure, he said, adding that even United Nations had termed CAA "discriminatory".

He also lashed out at alleged manhandling of AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi by police in Uttar Pradesh, saying it could t have taken place without CM Yogi Adiyanath's kwledge.

"Aren't you ashamed of such actions," he asked Yogi Adiyanath, warning that Congress "would t forget this incident and tables would tun one day".

chief minister said while entire world was expressing concern over ramifications of legislation, "those sitting in Delhi continued to be adamant, refusing to pay heed to voice of nation". He also invoked Guru Nanak Dev, saying Sikh Guru preached secularism by saying "na koi Hindu, na koi Musalman, sab rab de bande" (body is a Muslim or Hindu, all are God's people). CM said protest march held in Punjab's ecomic heartland would help send anti-CAA mess across India.

In an informal conversation with mediapersons later, Amarinder reiterated that his government would continue to oppose Centre's attempt to "destroy India's secular character and change preamble of Constitution". Earlier, senior party leader and Finance Minister Manpreet Badal equated alleged manhandling of Priyanka Gandhi by UP Police with that of Mahatma Gandhi's removal from a train in South Africa. In a reference to CAA, Manpreet said if Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to send Indians out of country, Congress "will turn him out of India".

ting that BJP had secured a mere 39 per cent votes in last Lok Sabha elections, he asserted that with remaining 61 per cent supporting opposition parties, Modi government could t get away with enactment of such "black laws". PPCC president Sunil Jakhar lambasted BJP-led Union government for allegedly trying to implement nda which "goras" (British) had failed to execute.