Congress misleading Muslim community on CAA: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi
Bengaluru, Dec 22: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday accused the Congress of inciting violence by misleading the Muslim community over the CAA as it was 'unable' to accept the "phenomenal rise" of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stature.
The Citizenship Amendment Act was all about giving citizenship to six religious minorities of the three Islamic Republics of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and not take away the citizenship of anybody in India, he told a press conference here.
The arrogant Congress, which thinks that ruling the country is its birth right, cannot accept the phenomenal rise of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stature. Hence, the Congress is misleading the Muslims community on the issue of CAA. But this won't work, he said.
Rejecting criticism against the law, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister said This (CAA) is inclusive and is in right spirit of Sabka Saath; Sabka Vikas; Sabka Vishwas. But the Congress and the Left Parties, TMC and some so-called intellectuals have raised a hue and cry over a non-issue."
Joshi challenged Congress to prove one negative point in the newly-enacted CAA and claimed that none of its leaders, either in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, could raise any substantial and logical issues over the legislation.
The law had been enacted specifically to those six religious minorities who are persecuted on religious grounds in the three neighbouring countries, he said in apparent reference to questions why Muslims had not been included under its ambit.
"In those three countries, Muslims are not religious minorities and they are not persecuted, Joshi explained.
The minister said anybody from any part of the world can apply for Indian Citizenship which would be taken up for consideration under the existing Indian Citizenship Act of 1955 but not under CAA.
Singer Adnan Sami, writer Tasleema Nasreen and 500 Muslim families have been given citizenship under the 1955 Act. Naturalisation is yet another process through which one can obtain citizenship.
"But the only reason why Congress party is inciting violence by provoking Muslim Community is because of its frustration, Joshi alleged.
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BJP will form govt in Bengal with thumping majority: Nabin
Mirzapur (UP) (PTI): BJP president Nitin Nabin on Wednesday voiced confidence that his party will form the government in West Bengal with a "thumping majority".
Polling is underway for 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections, covering key districts, including Kolkata, Howrah and North and South 24 Parganas.
The high-stakes contest is being seen as decisive for the ruling TMC's bid for a fourth consecutive term and the BJP's push to form its first government in the state. The first phase held on April 23 recorded a high voter turnout of over 93 per cent, reflecting intense electoral engagement.
Speaking to reporters in Mirzapur, Nabin said, "The BJP will form the government in Bengal. We are winning the elections with a massive majority."
Earlier in the day, the BJP chief visited the Vindhyavasini temple and offered prayers. The rituals were conducted by his priest Acharya Agastya Kumar Dwivedi.
On his first visit to the district after assuming office, Nabin was welcomed by party workers at several places. At the temple, he was received by city MLA Ratnakar Mishra and District Magistrate Pawan Kumar Gangwar, who felicitated him with a traditional 'angvastram'.
After offering prayers for about 10 minutes amid Vedic chants, Nabin held a meeting at a hotel with local MLAs, including Mishra, Majhwan MLA Suchismita Maurya and Madihan MLA Ramashankar Patel.
Patel said Nabin emphasised strengthening the organisation and asked public representatives to focus on serving people in their respective constituencies.
Several party leaders, including district president Lal Bahadur Saroj, district vice-president Gaurav Umar, municipal chairperson Shyam Sundar Kesari, women workers and senior officials, were present on the occasion.
Elaborate security arrangements were put in place by the district administration for the visit, with multiple officers of circle officer rank deployed, officials said.
