CAA seeks to implement suggestions put across by Manmohan Singh in 2003: MoS PMO

Union minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday said new citizenship law seeks to implement exactly suggestions given by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2003 in Parliament, who h vocated for granting Indian citizenship for persecuted mirities from neighboring countries. He also attacked Congress party for changing its stand on issues depending on vote bank requirement or political expediency.

"Citizens Amendment Act (CAA) seeks to implement exactly same suggestion which h been very effectively and logically put across by Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2003 as Leer of Opposition in Rajya Sabha in support of laying down a liberal policy to offer citizenship to persecuted mirities from Banglesh and or neighboring countries," Singh told PTI.

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He said it is w for Congress party to explain to nation wher it keeps changing its stand on a single issue depending on vote bank requirement and political expediency. Singh, minister of state in Prime Minister's Office (PMO), said much harm has alrey been done to social fabric and harmony of nation by opposition parties which always take a position with an eye on next elections.

"It is for first time that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to change political culture by dressing issues on merit," minister said.

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Reacting on protests going on in parts of country, including national capital, he said masses must rise above political considerations and party politics.

"It is for all of us to first study and understand implications of Citizenship Amendment Act and n explain to masses to rise above political consideration and party politics," Singh said.

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Hundreds of students, activists and opposition leers were detained on Thursday for defying prohibitory orders to protest against new citizenship law as large parts of national capital reeled under restrictions on mobile internet services and traffic movement. Protests were witnessed in many parts of country over new citizenship law.

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