UAE expats want CAA revoked

United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Indian expats have submitted a memorandum to the Indian Embassy here expressing concerns over the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), saying that it "propagates a divisive society", it was reported.

As many as 30 people from the Indian community met officials at the Embassy on Sunday to voice their opposition against the CAA.

Speaking to Gulf News after handing over the "Letter Of Opposition To CAA", Abdullah Khan, an Abu Dhabi resident, said: "I am worried about my family in India. I tried to call them in Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh but couldn't get through as the communication lines and Internet were shut down after protests over CAA.

"The Indian community here decided to register its humble request to abolish the law which divides society where people of all religions otherwise live together peacefully."

The letter also requests the Indian authorities to strike down the "discriminatory, divisive and unconstitutional" Act.

Sanjay Manohar Pancha, an Abu Dhabi resident who also turned up at the embassy, said: "I would like that all people be given their equal due as per the Constitution of India, whether they are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs or Christians."

Another resident said that the CAA was "against our constitution and we demand it is scrapped immediately".

The CAA, which was enacted on December 12, provides citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014.

Violent protests have erupted all across India against the controversial Act.