what should be done by the state to promote nationality?
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Many Indian states to resist citizenship law
14 Indian states showing unprecedented defiance against central government, disallowing implementation of citizenship law
Shuriah Niazi |
15.01.2020
Many Indian states to resist citizenship law
NEW DELHI
As many as 14 Indian states have so far declared not to implement the controversial citizenship law, believed to be discriminatory against Muslims.
On Tuesday, country’s southernmost state of Kerala even approached the Supreme Court, challenging the new law, knows as Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). India’s federal union comprises 28 states and 9 centrally administered territories.
Those defying the central government included the state of Bihar, ruled by Janata Dal (United) -- an ally of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The BJP and its allies’ control 16 states, while 13 are held by different opposition parties. With Bihar also opposing, the number of states opposing the law has swelled to 14.
In its petition, the Kerala state government said that the CAA should be declared violative of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution, which promises equality, liberty and freedom of conscience.
India has been witnessing extensive protests against the law, since it was cleared by the country's Parliament and got presidential approval on Dec. 12.
It guarantees citizenship to non-Muslims of three neighboring countries Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. Critics see the new law as unconstitutional and discriminating against Muslims.
The Left dominated Kerala state assembly last month passed a resolution asking the central government to withdraw the Act.
Leaders of the main opposition parties in the country have vehemently opposed law, which is to be followed by updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The exercise of the NRC entails every citizen to prove afresh Indian citizenship.
While non-Muslims would be covered under the new law and would be citizens automatically, the country’s 180 million Muslim population will be made to run helter-skelter to prove citizenship.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who belongs to the main opposition Congress, has described the citizenship law as violation of the secular fabric of the country.
“We will fight against it tooth and nail. BJP-led government at the Centre is attempting to change the values enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution,” said Singh in a statement