Citizen’s group to file PIL for scrapping of CAA

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 14, 2019

SHILLONG: A group of concerned individuals including lawyers from Meghalaya and other North East states have decided to jointly file a public interest litigation (PIL) to seek scrapping of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

“We have decided to challenge the CAA before the Supreme Court in the form of a PIL on Monday,” Advocate Peter A Dohkrut told reporters at a news conference held in the city here on Saturday.

He said the Act is against the spirit of the Indian Constitution as it is in violation of article 14 (provides for equality before the law), article 15 (prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth) and article 21 (guarantees right to life and liberty).

“How can the government come up with such a law which uses religion as a criteria for citizenship? This is only politics and nothing else. Therefore, we will continue to oppose till the Act is scrapped,” Dohkrut said.

He also rejected the claims that CAA will not affect states which exemption has been granted. “The fact is that once the illegal immigrants get Indian citizenship, they are free to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India as per article 19 of the Constitution,” the advocate said.

He also appealed to the public for their support and prayers to this public cause. According to him, the petitioners are also from states like Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland.

On the other hand, Dohkrut slammed the MDA government and the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) MP from Tura Agatha K Sangma for supporting the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 in the parliament.

“What a drama they are making. They support the Bill in Lok Sabha and now they are trying to pacify us by meeting Amit Shah in Delhi to ask for ILP. This is not because they want to give us the ILP but because their chair is not firm anymore,” he said.

He however added, “One thing the common people are responsible because we have not chosen the leaders with caliber but most of them are chosen because of their money power.”

Asked, Dohkrut said that introduction of ILP is urgently needed in Meghalaya. “Even in Mizoram which has strictly implement ILP, is still witnessing increase of infiltration of outsiders so you can imagine that once CAA is implemented it can also be manipulated,” he said.

A person from Manipur who was also present and who used to frequent Mizoram said ILP in the state is not very effective as it cannot prevent the entry of migrant workers, who eventually bring their families to settle in the state.