Anti-CAA stir must to protect idea of India: Chidambaram

Speaking at a meeting organised against CAA in the city, Chidambaram said, “The ongoing protests are not a struggle between Muslims and the government of India. If it were so, it would only end in their favour.” “I have been reiterating from the beginning, it is (a struggle) between people who want to protect the Constitution versus the BJP and RSS.”

Recalling the ‘termite’ statement of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who claimed that termites would be thrown out of the country in 2024, Chidambaram said, “To cover up the embarrassment that half of the 19-lakh people screened in Assam were Hindus, CAA has been introduced. People will decide who should be thrown out in 2024,” suggesting the ouster of the BJP regime.

Rebuking the claims of the BJP Ministers that people of India would not be affected by CAA, the former union home minister reasoned that the CAA clearly states that it applies only to people who came to India before December 31, 2014. “For someone who comes henceforth, only the old citizenship act will apply. It applies only to people who live in India, not ones who come hereafter. So, the claim of the BJP leaders that it would not affect people of India is a lie. This is not a mistake it is a lie,” he said.

Meanwhile, a huge flex board came crashing down on the dais at the auditorium while Chidambaram was addressing the meet. The board was hanging just behind those seated on the dais. Fortunately, no one was injured. Chidambaram was in front of the podium when a portion of the big board began tilting precariously and within moments fell with a thud. The organisers had the board re-fixed quickly.

The Forum for Protection of Constitution-Chennai held the “Save Constitution, Save Democracy,” event.