Anti CAA Protest – The Machination!

On 12 December 2019, the Government of India passed the most controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, with a clear majority in the Parliament. The act as amended by the BJP Government, inserted clause (b) to Section 2(1), which identifies “Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian community from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, who entered into India on or before the 31st day of December, 2014 and who has been exempted by the Central Government by or under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 or from the application of the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 or any rule or order made thereunder” as legal migrants. Despite the ruling party’s assurance on various platforms that the amended Act in no way affect “Indian Muslims”, the passing of the Act created wide protests and agitations from north to south, east- west of the country. Protests began in the State of Assam, which consider that the amendment is in violation of the Assam Accord. Major hotspots for anti-CAA protests include nation’s top Universities like JNU and Islamic Universities like Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University and other 25 student associations all over India held anti-CAA protests. On December 15th Police was said to have entered Jamia campus and detained and caused injury to students. The sources from The Hindu and PTI shows that the protests which occurred in at least 14 states and a minimum of 94 districts, around 48% of protests recorded at least one violent incident or lathi or detention by police. Deaths of at least 31 people were recorded related to the violence that ensued during the protests. Around 24 districts in U.P witnessed protests, out of which more than 90% recorded violent incidents or police action or both. The anti- CAA protest thus seemed to be one of the most violent in the country. The BJP government is keen on going forward with the Citizenship Amendment Act, which has created a situation of stalemate in the nation. The present situation of perplexity is created by them which is a threat to the democracy of the country as well as its peace and tranquillity. Therefore, it is high time the Legislative, Executive and Judiciary together interferes and finds a way to peacefully negotiate and put an end to the protest.