At huge pro-CAA rally in Panaji, J P Nadda challenges Rahul Gandhi to speak on act

PANAJI: BJP national working president J P Nadda on Friday challenged former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to speak ten sentences on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and to make clear his opposition to it in two sentences.
Nadda was addressing a 15,000-strong rally in support of CAA on Friday, which he flagged off from Patto in Panaji. The rally culminated at Azad Maidan in the capital with a public meeting.
“Looking at the massive crowd it is clear to me that the Goans are aware about issues of national interest,” he said.
Clarifying misunderstandings about the new constitutional law, Nadda said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah had made provisions to give citizenship to those from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have fled to India due to religious persecution.
The BJP working president said that Modi has taken decisions on issues that have been pending for the last 70 years, including the abrogation of Article 370.
On Congress’ stand on the CAA, Nadda said it was petty thinking on their part. “Rahul Gandhi should speak ten lines on CAA and explain his opposition in two lines,” he said, adding that it was unfortunate that a party like the Indian National Congress, which has a long history, should today have a leader like Gandhi.
The opposition is asking what will happen if religious minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh come to India, but the fact is that these people are already in our country, Nadda said. “Now we are giving them citizenship,” he said, adding that the relief was being provided through the act.
About extending the same relief to Muslims from these countries, he said that being Muslims in Islamic countries how was it possible that they were among the persecuted.
On Article 370, he said that Kashmiris are happy with Modi’s decision and that it was only a few leaders who were unhappy as they will no longer be able to reap benefits of Article 370, among which is the non-applicability of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Now, inquiries will be conducted against the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir for corruption, which could mean that many of them could land in jail, Nadda said.
“Also now in Jammu and Kashmir, there will be reservations for tribals. They will be able to make it to even the parliament,” he said.
Nadda also praised former chief minister Manohar Parrikar for taking various decision as defence minister.