Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan Declares CAA an open challenge to humanity, vows non-implementation

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticized the BJP-led central government's decision to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) just weeks before the Lok Sabha elections. He condemned the move as divisive and against the fundamental principles of the Constitution. Vijayan emphasized that the Kerala government will not allow the CAA to be implemented in the state.

Opposition to CAA implementation

Vijayan warned that the implementation of the CAA would create unrest in the nation and urged for unified opposition against stratifying Indian citizens based on religion. He denounced the law's provision to grant citizenship based on religion, terming it a violation of the Constitution and an open challenge to humanity and Indian traditions.

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Vijayan highlighted Kerala's proactive stance against the CAA, noting that the state Assembly was the first in the country to pass a resolution opposing it. Additionally, Kerala announced its refusal to implement the National Population Register (NPR) and filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the CAA. The state also organized human chain protests to voice its dissent.

Rejecting second-class citizenship

Emphasizing Kerala's commitment to equality, Vijayan reiterated that the state will not implement the CAA, which discriminates against Muslim minorities. He asserted that Kerala stands firm in its resolve to uphold the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs.

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Leader of the opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan, echoed Vijayan's sentiments, condemning the BJP's politics of division. He accused the BJP of attempting to deepen fear in people's minds for political gains and vowed to fight against the implementation of the CAA nationwide. Satheesan emphasized the Congress party's determination to resist communal polarization and uphold the principles of equality and unity.