Manufactured Revolt

From burning down trains to damaging the buses, from throwing stones at police to bringing public life to a standstill, holding university public space to ransom, it is a measured attack, trying to make the situation appear like “State Vs People”

BJP released its manifesto on April 8, 2019. “Nation First” section stands 4th in the Table of Contents of the manifesto. There are a total 8 points in the section Nation First. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is one of the 8 points. The manifesto clearly promised Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Page 12.

On page 12 of Manifesto BJP promises this We are committed to the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Bill for the protection of individuals of religious minority communities from neighbouring countries escaping persecution. We will make all efforts to clarify the issues to the sections of population from the Northeastern states who have expressed apprehensions regarding the legislation. We reiterate our commitment to protect the linguistic, cultural and social identity of the people of Northeast. Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs escaping persecution from India’s neighbouring countries will be given citizenship in India.

In General elections 2019, BJP alone got 37% votes resulting into victory in 303 seats out of total of 543 constituencies – an absolute majority. India voted for the BJP manifesto to be implemented.

Historically politicians in India were made fun of for not keeping their promises and yet

turning up for next elections asking for votes. This is one of those rare occasions where a

ruling party is criticized for implementing its manifesto.

But there is a catch here. What is being thrown at government is no fair and just criticism of noble minds.

The CAA passed the test in Lok Sabha on December 9 and Rajya Sabha on 10th of December 10, 2019. One out of the total 18 bills tabled in the Parliament in the winter session of November and December. The bill duly signed by speaker and sent to President’s approval. There is no by passing of the routine procedure of converting a bill into act. The Act has come into effect with due constitutional procedure.

Now that I have given background of BJP manifesto before the General Election, outcome of elections and procedure followed in CAA, let’s look into what CAA is and if it violates any provision as per latest version of constitution of India dated July 31, 2018.

The ammend act provides citizenship to religious minorities persecuted by majority in Islamic republics of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The purpose of the bill is to restore dignity, honour and pride of those humiliated by persecuting majority in these countries. It is utter disrespect and intellectual dishonesty to seek an amendment that includes muslims of these countries who are none other than persecuting majority. You can not give citizenship to persecuted minorities and persecuting majority together in one single amendment. To say this to happen is to say – majority never persecuted – which is rubbing salts on wounds of persecuted minorities.

And for the record, Muslims of neighboring Islamic republics can always apply individually for citizenship following on the footsteps of Adnan Sami.

There is no denial that there are Muslims in Pakistan and Bangladesh who truly identify themselves with the multi-cultural fabric of India and happily want to be part of it. I know few of them in personal capacity and believe we share the similar values. But to argue in favour of opening the flood gates for communities which inherently do not want to coexist with ‘Impure Land’ is calculated dishonesty.

As regards the CAA it does not violate article 14 of the constitution which states “Equality before law.—The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. And this is because the bill is unrelated to territory of India and its people.

Now coming to the last but not the least protest part of the CAA episode. It was made clear in Parliament by Home minister Amit Shah that the bill is about giving citizenship and not taking away citizenship of Indians. On 16th of December 2019, Prime Minister Modi tweeted 5 times in one single day. First tweet saying that the act illustrates India’s centuries old culture of acceptance, harmony, compassion and brotherhood. Second tweet saying no Indian has anything to worry regarding this Act and the act is only for those who have faced years of persecution outside India. Third asking Indian people to stay away from any sort of rumour mongering and falsehoods. Fourth insisting vested interest groups should not be dividing us. And finally, the fifth establishing that debate, discussion and dissent are essential parts of democracy but, never has damage to public property and disturbance of normal life been a part of our ethos.

Debate in Parliament, wide communication on social media, pitching it in Jharkhand election rallies was not enough. A section of India, a small one, have some other plans.

The intellectual covering fire was tweeting frantically about protests actively encouraging people to come out on roads. One particular Modi-hater has even given list of lawyers on Twitter in case protestors get arrested. The exaggerated versions of the anger and fake news are planted to keep the protest burning. On December 16, 2019, in one single day alone, a known Kashmiri separatist empathiser tweeted 100 times, and a known Gujrat riot activist tweeted 59 times actively encouraging and supporting the protest.

Many of the online protestors who are asking to include Muslims from Pakistan/Bangladesh while providing Indian citizenship are the same people who insisted on having Article 35A which stopped Indians outside Kashmir from setting in Kashmir.

Chances are in West Bengal you may get arrested for shouting Jai Shri Ram in front of Didi’s convoy. But you may be not be arrested for burning down a train. Certainly not if you are a Bangladeshi illegal migrant.

No article in Indian Constitution provides liberty and protection to a student who is violently protesting in universities. And yet the unhappy losers of general elections 2019 kept providing intellectual covering fire for the students.

The protest against CAA has nothing to do with CAA. This is Award Wapsi Rev 2.0 with additional feature of violence. The aim is to create civil unrest like situation which did not happen in Award Wapsi Rev 1.0. The real aim is much bigger than simply seeking abrogation of CAA. This is self-evident. A known Kashmiri separatist empathiser reacted to Prime Minister’s tweet asking for suggestions on Mann Ki Baat — “Step Down”.

This is it. Manufactured Revolt of Unhappy Losers of 2019. CAA is just another opportunity to fabricate an atmosphere for case against Mr. Modi. And if that requires pushing country on brink of civil unrest to keep Mr. Modi’s focus away from real challenges ahead of the nation then political opponents would not think twice.

Unfortunately, some section of Muslims society have fallen prey to the sinister agenda set by the protestors. It is their lack of knowledge about the bill which is being exploited for political agenda. It is important that Muslims of India do not fall prey to political opponents of Modi and offer their shoulders as carriers of a manufactured revolt of unhappy losers of 2019 Lok Sabha elections.