Published 22:37 IST, January 3rd 2020
Amarinder Singh hits back at RS Prasad on 'legal advice' jibe, alleges CAA can be misused
Responding to Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad’s negative comments about anti-CAA resolution, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh alleged that the CAA could be misused
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Responding to Union Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad’s negative comments about the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly, Punjab Chief Minister penned an open letter. Maintaining that it was his duty to represent the voice of the people as the CM, he alleged that the CAA ran afoul of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. Moreover, he expressed the apprehension that the CAA could be used as an infiltration tactic by Pakistan, thus hinting at a massive security threat.
As the leader of the state, I took my oath under the Constitution @rsprasad Ji. I'm neither naive nor misguided & it's my duty to represent the voice of my people & Centre must pay heed to same. As the law minister, you'd know that #CAA fails the test of the Constitution. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/QKa68CDGi4
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) January 3, 2020
I am seriously concerned that #CAA can be easily misused for infiltrating into the country, particularly in border states like Punjab. It’s a potential threat to national security @rsprasad Ji. Does the @BJP4India led central govt even know what it's doing? 2/2
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) January 3, 2020
'Please get proper legal advice'
On Wednesday, Prasad hit out at some of the opposition-ruled states who have publicly declared that they would not allow the implementation of the CAA. He opined that the states were thinking about political considerations. Furthermore, he advised them to get legal advice before taking such a position.
"A lot of state governments, purely because of political consideration and votebank politics, are making public declarations that they will not enforce CAA. We gently remind them please get proper legal advice. You took office by swearing on the Constitution," Ravi Shankar Prasad opined.
What is the CAA?
The CAA seeks to provide citizenship to the minority communities namely Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. This will be applicable to the members of these communities having arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014. Moreover, they will not be considered as illegal migrants.
22:36 IST, January 3rd 2020