New Delhi:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the Narendra Modi government was not just there to govern but also to solve the issues of the country. Defending the timing of the introduction of the Citizinship Amendment Bill, the Union Home Minister said, there would have been no need for this bill had Partition of India not taken place in 1947. Shah said if this bill was brought 50 years ago, then the situation would not be so severe today.
"There is no appreciation of the fact people from 6 religions have been included. But, the focus is only on why Muslims are not included," he said.
"Can followers of Islam in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan be called minority? No. When the religion of the State is Islam, then, chances of persecution of Muslims is lesser," he added.
"This Bill will not harm the minority communities including Muslims," said Shah.
"The spirit of Liaquat–Nehru Pact, was not followed by the neighbouring country. It is the duty of every government to follow it in letter and spirit," he said.
"During UPA govt, the then Rajasthan govt wrote to then HM P Chidambaram stating outstanding issue of large no. of Pak refugees from Hindu and Sikh communities. 13000 people from two religions only were benefited. Whereas, we have included refugees from 6 religions," he said. "But, no one will say anything because whatever the Congress does is secularism. Till when will you fool people?" he went on.
Amit Shah said that the Bill did not hurt the Article 14 of the Constitution. Attacking Congress again, Shah asked, "The entire country knows that the reason behind partition was Jinnah and it was done due to his demand. But all I am asking is why did Congress agree to it? Why was it done on the basis of religion?"
"It was asked that why were Rohingyas not included in the Bill? Rohingyas don't come to India directly, they go to Bangladesh and then infiltrate into India from there."
Replying to Kapil Sibal's comment that "Muslims don't fear you", Shah said, "They should not be afraid. You also don't be afraid. Nobody is taking the citizenship of Indian Muslims. This is a bill to give citizenship, not to take it."
Amit Shah said "Don't teach me the idea of India. Hum toh isi desh mein janme hain isi desh mein marenge (We are born in this country and will die here)."
"Neither CAB is anti-Muslim, nor abrogation of Article 370 is anti-Muslim, Triple Talaq Bill is not anti-Muslim either. Triple Talaq is the Bill to give rights to crores of Muslim women in the country."
"Do only Muslims live in Jammu & Kashmir? No Hindus? No Buddhists? Why is it viewed like that? Article 370 has been abrogated for everyone & not only Muslims. How can CAB be anti-Muslim? In this Bill, there is no proposal to touch the citizenship of any Muslim."
"Abrogation of Article 370, Triple Talaq Bill are not anti-Muslim. Do women not have rights? Kashmir is peaceful even after abrogation of 370. Likewise, I don't believe Citizenship Amendment Bill is anti-muslim," Shah said.
