Hardeep Singh Puri cites personal experience to debunk CAA propaganda at Viksit Bharat event

Kolkata, March 13 (IANS) – Minister of State (Independent charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, emphasized the real purpose of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) during the Viksit Bharat Ambassadors event in Kolkata. He highlighted that the law aims to help oppressed minorities from neighbouring countries, not target the local population.

Puri shared his personal story, stating, “I am the son of refugees. My father and mother came here from Pakistan by train, decades ago.” He justified the provision of citizenship under CAA as a way to provide a dignified life to persecuted minorities and uphold humanitarian principles.

The Minister encouraged the audience to become Viksit Bharat Ambassadors, emphasizing PM Modi’s motto of ‘Good governance is good politics’. He reiterated the government’s focus on serving the poor, youth, women, and farmers, and criticized the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal for its alleged negligence in addressing issues like the Sandeshkhali incident.

Puri discussed the significance of the Viksit Bharat program, highlighting the government’s Sankalp Yatras initiative to engage citizens in small towns and villages. He stressed the importance of mobilizing citizens to be a part of the larger mission of development and progress envisioned by the government.