In the first symposium held by Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP on CAA Saturday, participants emphasised on holding discussions regarding the law to reach out to the Muslims while party leaders claimed that the Muslims were being misled regarding the law. The party will be holding discussions with Muslims over CAA in various parts of the country.
NCP national general secretary Brijmohan Srivastava at the symposium on “CAA and Indian Muslims” asserted that NCP has always believed in secularism and said, “This issue (CAA) should be discussed openly. This event was organised to listen to the views of the people of the community (Muslim) on CAA.”
There are several laws which are amended, Srivastava said, but “if there is any disagreement, the people associated should express their views. This forum is for that. A note will be prepared on the views of the people, which will be sent to those who will take a decision on the matter.”
Mumtaz Alam, an NCP member, said, “Muslims of the country are neither opposition nor for opposition. A proper dialogue should be held on CAA.”
A panic is being created regarding CAA, said Syed Jalaluddin, chairman of NCP’s Minority Department and who organised the symposium at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, pointing out that while there is absence of discussion about the law, there is an attempt to mislead the Muslims.
“The question arises if CAA has come then will the NRC and NPR not be implemented? People are scaring you like you are going to be in big trouble. Your citizenship is not at stake, what harm will be done to Indian Muslims by giving citizenship to someone. If we protest against this and take to the streets, then this message will definitely go to the Hindu society that if something good was happening to the Hindus then the Muslims are not liking it. We need reconciliation not confrontation,” said Jalaluddin.
Participating in the programme, Acharya Pramod Krishnam, Kalki Dham Peethadhishwar, batted for a collective decision in favour or against the law. “If this law causes harm to any person living in the country then it should be opposed. But if it does not affect anyone’s life or causes any harm, then how is it appropriate to oppose it,” he said.
Among the speakers was retired Odisha HC Judge IM Quddusi who opposed the law citing Article 14 of the Constitution. “The CAA is related to foreigners. I do not agree with this law, but I am not aggrieved also. Indian Muslims are not harmed by this,” he said.
“I am completely opposed to CAA,” said ZK Faizan, a lawyer. “The only question is why Muslims were excluded from the law. This is a violation of Article 14,” said Faizan.