The new Citizenship Amendment Act has created a row of violence and protests for the people of India. But the bill/act that people are so against is not as new as people think it is. In 2003, the same bill was publicized and recommended by Congress and more specifically ex-PM Dr. Manmohan Singh. Since 15th December 2019, widespread protests have sparked in India starting from Jamia Millia Islamia college in New Delhi to Town Hall in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
BJP released an archived video on their twitter account yesterday where Dr. Manmohan Singh is seen making an appeal for the same bill/act that people are so fervently against today, including Congress party leaders, supporters, and MPs alike. The video is from 2003.
In 2003, speaking in Rajya Sabha, Dr Manmohan Singh, then Leader of Opposition, asked for a liberal approach to granting citizenship to minorities, who are facing persecution, in neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan. Citizenship Amendment Act does just that… pic.twitter.com/7BOJJMdkKa
— BJP (@BJP4India) December 19, 2019
BJP tweeted: “In 2003, speaking in Rajya Sabha, Dr. Manmohan Singh, then Leader of Opposition asked for a liberal approach to granting citizenship to minorities, who are facing persecution, in neighboring countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan. Citizenship Amendment Act does just that…”.
In the video, Dr. Singh can be seen arguing about how the minority refugees of Bangladesh have suffered and how it is India’s moral responsibility to do something about it.
When Dr. Singh was reminded that minorities in Pakistan are also suffering, he quickly admitted and said, “Madam, I fully endorse that view.”
The video which clearly shows the ex-Congress member and ex-PM of India endorsing the same act which has been presented to the public now; has gone through widespread hatred and opposition.
Congress party has condemned the act today calling it unconstitutional and has demanded that it should be taken back.
