The announcement of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules serves as both a political and ideological declaration by the BJP, asserting that it has delivered on all three major promises made during its second term.
The first significant pledge was the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, followed by the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and now culminating with the enactment of the CAA, four years after its passage by Parliament. Delays in drafting the rules, attributed to earlier protests and the COVID-19 pandemic, prolonged the implementation process.
The announcement made on Monday evening resulted in protests from student bodies in Jamia Millia Islamia. According to PTI, a group of students led by the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) raised slogans against the Modi government.
In view of the protest, Delhi Police have tightened security measures, especially around Jamia Millia Islamia.
Waquar Azam, the University Vice President of AISA, informed FoEJ that the university was surrounded by barricades the whole day, and the police presence was unusually high.
Student bodies express their opposition to the CAA
In conversation with the Vice President of NSUI, Dibyajyoti Tripathy, he said that it’s students who shape the future of the nation, and it is us students who will create an India that is safe for everyone.
Dibyajyoti said that the previous Vice Chancellor, Najma, was in support of the BJP narrative, but they have yet to encounter the acting Vice Chancellor, Eqbal Hussain. In addition, the National Secretary of Fraternity, Lubaib Basheer, said that the Vice Chancellor has already informed the media about the curbing of any kind of agitation inside the campus but hasn’t had any direct communication with any student organization.
“It’ll be very difficult to conduct any protests at such sensitive times, but all the student bodies will gather at 3 p.m. today to discuss the further procedure. We will gather in huge numbers to speak out. We won’t be shunned,” declared Lubaib.
Emphasizing the drawbacks of the CAA for the Muslim minority of the country, Dibhyajyoti said, “It’s not like we will stay quiet. We are planning something. We won’t let this matter go so easily because it’s crucial.”
He further said, “Consensus will be reached in a day, and we will proceed accordingly.”
Dibyajyoti questioned the plight of Rohingya Muslims living in the country. “There are Muslims from Rohingya; where will they go?”.
“Hindus Should Speak up”
Talking about the escalating polarization in the nation, Dibyajyoti said, “Today, being a Hindu is not measured by religious practices but by the intensity of being anti-Muslim. They are propagating that Muslims are terrorists, but they won’t limit it to that. Their propaganda will engulf every person in the country. This narrative and yardstick give legitimacy to Muslim hatred.”
When asked how he feels as a Hindu whose ideas differ from the majority, he said, “Being a Hindu whose ideas differ from the majority in today’s populist narrative is difficult. I feel internal discrimination.”
“The narrative of the BJP-led government is to fight those who are secular in India. But at the same time, there are Hindus who don’t believe that being Hindu means creating hate for Muslims,” said Dibyajyoti , who has received 28 showcase notices in just 1.5 years alone. He had been suspended by the campus twice, and last year he was arrested over a social media post.
Dibyajyoti said that it’s time for Hindus to speak up for Muslims since they have the privilege that Muslims in India don’t. He called for collective efforts to make this country more hospitable for minorities.
Implement on the Eve of Ramadan
“The timing of the notification is highly unfortunate. Announcing an act on the eve of Ramzan that the entire Muslim community has outrightly rejected is both loathsome and wretched.”
Aasif Mujtaba, CEO and Director of Miles2Smile
The implementation of the CAA before Ramadan has drawn criticism. “They don’t even want Muslims to celebrate the month peacefully. The implementation was planned because they knew that Muslims would be preoccupied this month.” Concerned about Ramadan and the tight schedules of Muslim students during the month, Dibyajyoti said that protests may slow down, but they will continue to raise their voices.
Highlighting the violation of fundamental rights of India, Nadeem Khan took on X and said, “We view the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 as being violative of the fundamental principles of the Indian Constitution.. We call for a complete halt to the NPR/NRC process. We pledge to stand united against this communally divisive law. We also extend our solidarity to the political prisoners incarcerated under UAPA for the last four years for protesting against CAA.”
Furthermore, Aasif Mujtaba, CEO and director of a Delhi-based NGO, Miles2Smile, said, “CAA is both communal and discriminatory. The act is ultra-vire to the constitutional spirit as enshrined in the preamble of the Indian Constitution. It violates many fundamental rights and must be opposed. It is ironic that the matter is subjudice and the Supreme Court couldn’t strike down such an act in the last 4 years.” Mujtaba was the co-organiser of the anti CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh in 2019.
In addition, Mujtaba expressed his concern about the timing of the implementation. “The timing of the notification is highly unfortunate. Announcing an act on the eve of Ramzan that the entire Muslim community has outrightly rejected is both loathsome and wretched.”
