Clearing misconceptions on amended Citizenship Act or CAA allegedly being fuelled by opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday clarified that the law is about giving rights and not about taking them away.
Speaking on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the day when India celebrates National Youth Day across the country, Modi said youth and other citizens of the country are being misled on the CAA which came into force on Friday almost a month after Parliament passed it on December 11.
"CAA is a law to provide citizenship, it does not snatch citizenship. The government is providing citizenship through the law, it is not taking back the citizenship of anyone," Modi said while addressing youth at Belur Math.
The Prime Minister said that the CAA provides citizenship to those migrants who faced persecution in the name of religion in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. "The people who believe in the Constitution of India will be given citizenship on the basis of certain legalities."
He said that the government is following the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi and the new citizenship law is facilitating those migrants facing persecution.
The Prime Minister's remarks related to CAA came in the backdrop of violent protests in different cities across the country against the law which experts say is against the Muslim community.
He also called upon the youth to clear misconceptions from the minds of people about the new law.
The law grants citizenship to migrants of six non-Muslim communities -- Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian -- from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014.
Lawyers, judges rise above differences in quest for justice: CJI
Chief Justice of India Justice D.Y. Chandrachud on Wednesday said that he feels social media exacerbates differences between people but lawyers and judges rise above the differences in the common quest for justice.
LS polls: In a first, Congress ticket eludes Brahmin, Muslim leaders in Rajasthan
Contradicting its 'Brahmin DNA' stand, the Congress in Rajasthan has not fielded a single Brahmin candidate for any of the 25 parliamentary constituencies in the desert state.
Delhi HC gives Kejriwal no interim relief against ED arrest, custody; matter to be heard on April 3
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused any interim relief to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an excise policy case and is currently in its custody.
Villagers block road demanding road, water, Lifted after assurance at Kailashahar
In a demonstration of frustration over persistent neglect by local authorities, residents of Srinathpur village in Kailashahar staged a protest by blocking the Baburbazar-Hirachara road from Wednesday morning.
Over 200 voters join BJP leaving CPIM, Congress
In a significant political development, over two hundred voters from various opposition parties made a pivotal shift to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a joining meeting held at the state BJP office.
SPO jawan among three held for cannabis smugling
In a significant development, the Tripura Police of Belonia police station has apprehended three individuals allegedly involved in ganja trafficking after facing criticism for delays in their arrest.
Dipak Majumder, submits nomination papers for 7th Ramnagar Assembly Constituency
Dipak Majumder, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the 7th Ramnagar assembly constituency, submitted his nomination papers amidst an overwhelming show of support from party workers and enthusiastic citizens.
Nine candidates file nominations for West Parliamentary seat
Dr. Vishal Kumar, the Returning Officer for the West Parliamentary Lok Sabha Constituency, announced on Wednesday that a total of nine nominations had been filed for the upcoming elections in the constituency.