In an interesting development to the CAA issue, opposition parties extended their support to the resolution moved by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday. CM moved a resolution in the state Assembly against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), to which parties like Congress, CPI, CPI (M) supported in favor.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Assembly passes resolution demanding withdrawal of the #CitizenshipAmendmentAct. pic.twitter.com/xMvCZeBgVp
— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2019
The resolution clearly demands the withdrawal of the new CAA law. As quoted by ANI, Pinarayi Vijayan said, “Kerala has a long history of secularism. Greeks, Romans, Arabs everyone reached our land. Christian and Muslim religions reached Kerala in the very beginning itself. Our assembly needs to keep the tradition alive. Our tradition is of inclusiveness. Our assembly needs to keep the tradition alive.” Speaking further, CM also assured that there will be no such construction of any detention centers in Kerala for illegal immigrants. ”
One of the supporters, Congress leader VD Satheesan said that if one looks at the newly proposed law, then the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and CAA are the two sides of the same coin. He further termed CAA as a clear violation of Article 13,14 and 15 of the Constitution.
Speaking on the passage of the resolution, CPI law-maker C Divakaran said that the Assembly is “forced to move” such a resolution because the country is presently witnessing a high-series of protest that it had not witnessed before. He also said that resolution should be seen as a message to the world.
Previously, e Chief Minister Vijayan had called the meeting over the CAA issue which saw participation of all political parties, religious and social organization leaders on December 29. In this meeting, BJP staged a walkout. After the meeting, CM also posted a tweeted message that read; “A united front will be put up against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The meeting of political, religious and social leaders, held in Thiruvananthapuram, has tasked me and the Opposition leader to plan future agitations against CAA.”
A united front will be put up against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The meeting of political, religious and social leaders, held in Thiruvananthapuram, has tasked me and the Opposition leader to plan future agitations against CAA.
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) December 29, 2019