Sitaram Yechury calls CAA 'unconstitutional', says religion can't define citizenship

Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday said that Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) violates Indian Constitution and citizenship cant be defined on basis of a person's religion. Yechury me statement while speaking at an event at Osmania University in Telangana. 

dressing students Yechury said, "In Banaras, entire CPM's District Committee has been arrested and 69 or people have also been arrested, out of which only 14 are Muslims. This situation arises because Indian youths are rising in defence of our Constitution. CAA violates our Constitution; because in our Constitution, citizenship cant be defined on basis of religion of a person."

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"Today if anyone protests against government or its policies, he will be termed as an anti-national. We are protesting against CAA, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). It is an expression of patriotism. young generation wants to defend India. y are future of India," he ded.

'Say '' to NPR'

Yechury also said that Chief Ministers of as many as 13 states have refused to implement NRC. " Chief Ministers of 13 states have said '' to NRC. We appeal to m to say '' to NPR also. Two of m have alrey done this, which are Kerala and West Bengal. On this issue, West Bengal Chief Minister seems to be on same side," said Yechury.

He also alleged that CAA, NPR and NRC were aimed at making India a fascist country and hence, people should reject m. "This is t a Hindu-Muslim issue. struggle is to save democracy," he claimed. Replying to a query, he said he would t suggest people to give wrong information when enumerators come for NPR. He said ditional details sought in NPR may authorise officials to keep any person's name under D category (doubtful) if re was sufficient information such as parents' birthplace. Yechury accused Modi government of pushing country towards polarisation on religious lines.

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(with ncies inputs)