First anniversary of BJP-led govt’s second term in India
CAA a major achievement
Says Modi; opposition asks govt not to lose touch with ground realities
The controversial amendment to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which sparked prolonged street protests across India, was yesterday cited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as one of the major achievements of his government.
In an open letter written by Modi to India's citizens on the first anniversary of his second term as prime minister, he said the amended law was an "expression of India's compassion and spirit of inclusiveness".
Modi also mentioned abrogation of Article 370 of Indian constitution, which gave Jammu and Kashmir a special Constitutional status, settlement of the Ram Temple issue and criminalisation of instant triple talaq among other key achievements during this time.
CAA, passed by both Houses of parliament in December last year, seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan on the ground of religious persecution. However, critics alleged that the amended CAA was "discriminatory."
The CAA and the National Register of Citizens , which aim at keeping out "illegal" immigrants from Bangladesh, had caused concerns in Bangladesh.
He said in 2019 general elections the people of India voted not merely for continuity but also with the dream of taking India to new heights and making it a global leader.
The decisions taken in the last one year are directed at fulfilling this dream, he said.
"Article 370 (abrogation) furthered the spirit of national unity and integration," he said Jammu and Kashmir bifurcation.
Referring to the Supreme Court's unanimous judgement on the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Modi said it brought an amicable end to a debate persisting for centuries.
However, several opposition leaders attacked the government.
The government should not lose touch with ground realities, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and BSP chief Mayawati said.
The Congress in a statement titled "Helpless People, Heartless Government" said that India saw a "year of disappointment, disastrous management and diabolical pain".
"2 Crore Jobs vs. 27% unemployment: Modi came to power promising 2 crore jobs a year. But India witnessed the Highest Unemployment Rate in the last 45 years reached in 2017-18 (6.1% overall - 7.8% in Urban India and 5.3% in Rural India). Post Covid, India's unemployment rate has soared to an unprecedented 27.11% (CMIE)," the statement added.