The Citizenship Amendment Act has generated a lot of controversy and turmoil. I do not know much about politics but there are some points that I think can be made. In no particular order of importance these points are:
Firstly, the CAA may be motivated by noble intentions but obviously there is a perception and fear that it can and will be misused to deny people Indian citizenship. Tavleen Singh makes this point in her article in the Indian Express
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/citizenship-legally-weaponised-6155936
Second – there are some points made by the scholar Ramachandra Guha. He says that the CAA is a political ploy and a distraction. What really matters according to him is the economy (which is not recovering), strengthening of institutions (like the judiciary) and doing something for the environment as a top priority. It is difficult to disagree with the points that he is making.
Lastly the BJP clearly erred by not doing the groundwork necessary to gain public acceptance before passing the CAA. They should to have started a debate and explained their point of view as to why the CAA is required and beneficial. And especially in a bill that is as controversial as it has turned out. They could have thought of passing the bill after judging the public sentiment. But they have acted in a hasty manner and are now reaping the whirlwind.
It would have been simple enough for the BJP to do an opinion poll in order to gauge the public mood before passing the Bill.
According to the great British philosopher Bertrand Russell:
Tolerance is, in many ways, absolutely essential to the success of democracy. If people hold their principles so strongly that they feel they ought to die or kill for them, every difference of opinion will lead to war or to a coup d’état.
Democracy requires, in fact, a rather difficult combination of individual initiative with submission to the majority. It requires that a man who has strong political convictions should argue for them and do what he can to make them the convictions of the majority, but that if the majority proves adverse, he should submit with a good grace
I would like the Home Minister and Prime Minister to heed the advice given above. Tolerance is vital to the functioning of a democracy and I think perhaps that given the current mood the CAA should be withdrawn. It may involve a loss of face but it may be advisable.
Even if that is not possible it is vital for the BJP to get public acceptance before implementing the NPR. Our Muslim citizens are apprehensive that their citizenship may be taken away from them as described by Tavleen Singh in her article above. Before thinking of implementing the NPR it is vital that these fears should be assuaged. Otherwise there are many fears that will be prolonged turmoil and unrest.
The BJP thought of explaining the need for the CAA only after they had announced their intention to pass that bill. A clear case of putting the cart in front of the horse. We can only hope that they do not repeat the mistake with the NPR and NRC.
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