Smriti Irani Upholds PM Modi’s CAA Decision Amid Criticism

Amid opposition and protests, Union Minister Smriti Irani defends CAA implementation, asserting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision is correct. Irani claims nationwide support for granting citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. She accuses West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of attempting to instigate communities for a vote bank but insists that PM Modi’s decision is widely endorsed.

Irani’s statements follow Banerjee’s criticism of the CAA notification, where she labeled it an election gimmick. Banerjee expressed doubts about its legality and linked CAA to the National Register of Citizens (NRC), suggesting that applying for CAA would label individuals as “illegal migrants.” Banerjee challenged the BJP’s perception of success, stating it’s a “duck” rather than a “six.”

The Union Home Ministry notified the CAA rules on March 11, just before announcing the Lok Sabha election schedule. The rules, introduced by the Modi government and passed in 2019, aim to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants who arrived in India before December 31, 2014, from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.