Tripura’s demography would change if CAA implemented: Congress, CPIM

CPI(M) Secretary Jitendra Choudhury criticised the TIPRA Motha now part of the BJP-led coalition, for remaining silent on core issues.

Reported by Pinaki Das | Copy edited by Lipika Roy

While the state government is getting ready to comply with a directive from the Centre to enforce the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Tripura, opposition parties, Congress and CPI (M), have been opposing its implementation and have launched a massive agitation against the law calling on the state’s tribal population to unite and protest against it.

Speaking exclusively to Northeast Live, Sabda Kumar Jamatia, Congress tribal wing head said that implementation of CAA will adversely impact the state’s demography.

Highlighting concerns over the law, Jamatia said, “Tripura is a small state. After 1971, the state has witnessed a massive influx of illegal immigrants in the state. Currently, there are only 31% indigenous people in the state. If CAA is implemented, the number of indigenous people will go down by 15%.”

“We have already submitted a memorandum to Chief Secretary J K Sinha highlighting our concerns over this and telling him that we will hold a rally on May 31 opposing CAA again. I urged the indigenous people of the state to come together and raise their voice against it,” he added.

Tripura CPI(M) Secretary Jitendra Choudhury said that from the very beginning of CAA implementation, provisions have been in place to give shelter to any citizen to any other country on human and ground, but CAA has been brought with certain political parties to create a division of the society, religious group and people.

“Political issues have always surrounded CAA. It must be considered in terms of India’s political, economic, social, and cultural aspects going forward. India is a secular country. India being the world’s most populous country has responsibility for the rest of the world in humanitarian ground. There is no scope of any law to be enacted on the basis of religion. CAA is just another unconstitutional law of BJP government,” he added.

He also said that even though the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) was passed by the Parliament 4 years back, neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi, nor Union Home Minister Amit Shah dared to implement the law yet.

Choudhury also criticized TIPRA Motha now part of the BJP-led coalition, for remaining silent on the issue.

“It is being observed that there was a party which was against CAA. They instigated the innocent indigenous people to resort to forceful agitation and during such agitation in 2019, 5 innocent youths were injured. hat party has now made a 180-degree turn,” said Jitendra Choudhury.

He further expressed confidence that after the results of the 18th Lok Sabha elections are declared on June 4, this government will change and INDI Block will come to power, then CPIM will put strong words to repeal CAA.

Also Read: We are not going to sit in our homes: Pradyot Debbarma hints at renewed agitation against CAA

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