West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly criticized the timing of the Centre’s decision to notify the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), questioning its legality and expressing concerns over its implications. Banerjee expressed doubts regarding the clarity provided by the Central government on the matter.
Following the announcement of the CAA notification on Monday, Opposition parties have voiced their disapproval, labeling it as an attempt by the Centre to create division and polarization ahead of the upcoming general elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) Spokesperson Anand Dubey raised questions about the timing of the implementation, suggesting that the government had ample time to introduce the law over the past decade.
Dubey voiced concerns over the possible motives behind the sudden implementation, alleging that it aims to create chaos in the country’s electoral landscape. He criticized the BJP for prioritizing electoral strategies over addressing pressing issues such as inflation and unemployment.
Similarly, AAP leader Atishi suspected a political agenda behind the timing of the act, just days before the Lok Sabha elections. She highlighted the need for the government to focus on addressing unemployment and providing housing for the poor instead of introducing controversial legislation.
The Citizenship Amendment Act, passed by Parliament in 2019, aims to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. However, its implementation has been met with criticism and skepticism from various quarters.
