Left, Congress in Kerala unite to strongly oppose implementation of CAA

Thiruvananthapuram, March 11 (IANS) The Centre has notified the Rules to the Citizenship Amendment Act, sparking strong opposition from the ruling Left and the Congress-led opposition in Kerala. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has categorically stated that the law will not be implemented in the state, calling it a move to divide the nation ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Vijayan stated, “Denying citizenship to Muslims while granting citizenship to non-Muslims is a blatant violation of the Constitution. It is an open challenge to humanity, the nation’s secular tradition, and its people.” The Kerala Assembly had previously passed a resolution against the Act on December 31, 2019, with only one dissent from the BJP legislator O. Rajagopal.

State Congress President K. Sudhakaran reaffirmed their stance against the CAA, stating that if elected to power, the law will be repealed. Meanwhile, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan defended the Act, stating that it does not discriminate against Muslims and was announced by the Centre long ago.

The Ministry of Home Affairs’ notification regarding the CAA just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections has further intensified the opposition. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan declared that the opposition alliance will have nothing to do with the CAA. Planning to take their protest to the streets, he accused the move as a ploy to instill fear in society for political gains.