States can oppose & challenge CAA under Article 131: Anand Sharma

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Senior AICC leader and deputy leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma on Tuesday said the States can oppose and challenge the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) under Article 131 of the Constitution.

“The CAA is a direct conflict with fundamental tenets of the Constitution of India. The legislation has failed the constitutionality and moral test. Since the Act is unconstitutional, the States have every right to oppose and challenge it. Legislators of the States can adopt resolution and file petition in the Supreme Court against the CAA,” Sharma said.

Sharma while addressing a press conference at Rajiv Bhawan here on Tuesday, said several big States namely West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand have already opposed and challenged the CAA. He said since Assam would be adversely affected by the CAA the State Government must oppose the legislation tooth and nail. The legislation has grossly violated the historic Assam Accord, he said.

Asserting that there was absolutely no need to bring contentious, communal and unconstitutional Act like CAA, Sharma said the legislation has dented the global image of India. He alleged that the ruling BJP has become so arrogant it is even belittling the massive anti-CAA movement in Assam and rest of the country.

“There was a time when India had to grant citizenship to Tamil refugees who came from Sri Lanka for various reasons. But time has changed and there is absolutely no need to grant citizenship to people from India’s neighbouring countries. The present regime at the Centre must answer as what led them to bring the CAA in such a hurried manner,” Sharma said. He expressed the hope that the CAA will not be able to withstand judicial scrutiny in the Supreme Court.

Accusing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of pushing India back to 20 years, Sharma said while India’s economy is in doldrums, the BJP government has committed several blunders when it comes to deal with the country’s foreign policy.

“The Modi Government had talked big about digital India. Now India is known for digital shut down (suspension internet service) across the globe,” Sharma said.

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