Debate rages in SAD over citizenship Act

Jupinderjit Singh

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 19

The Akali Dal finds caught between the devil and the blue sea on the issue of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

While the party had voted in favour of the Bill in both Houses, with an advice that Muslims should be included in the provisions for citizenship, deliberations are on in the party to take a stronger stand now in support of the secular image of the country.

A renewed stand by the party looks possible since Akal Takht Jathedar Harpreet Singh also criticised the Act, calling for inclusion of Muslims.

The party wants to maintain its stance that it stands for communal harmony. Party patriarch Parkash Singh Badal has claimed many times in the past that maintaining communal harmony in Punjab during his tenure as CM was his main achievement.

Party insiders said the Act was the subject of discussion at the formal and informal meetings, besides the WhatsApp group where majority of the leaders are asking for taking a stand against the Act.

It is argued that though the party had supported the Act as Afghan Sikh migrants settled in Punjab would be the beneficiaries, it was now deliberating to sacrifice own interests for the sake of secularism in the country.

“Party president Sukhbir Badal spoke in Parliament for inclusion of Muslims. We are looking at the issue against the backdrop of protests and alienation felt by Muslims,” a senior leader said.

Party spokesperson Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema said the Act would benefit nearly 70,000 Sikhs, who had migrated from Afghanistan, besides Pakistan and Bangladesh. We want inclusion of Muslims like the Ahmadiyyas who have faced religious persecution in Pakistan,” he said, adding the party would remain part of the NDA, but would raise the issue again.

Prem Singh Chandumajra said there was no harm in including Muslims as the number would in any case be very small. “How many Muslims do you think would have left the three Muslim-majority countries?” he asked

Leaders privy to the deliberations said the party’s stand was crucial as its image was affected due to sacrilege incidents, rebellion by Taksali leaders and party’s failure to stand up against the alliance partner. It is being discussed that whether the resignation of Harsimrat Kaur Badal from the Union Cabinet in favour of a secular India would be a right decision at this juncture.

PM’s effigy burnt

Amritsar: Members of Left parties burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protest against the CAA and the NRC at seven places in the district on Thursday. The protests that the Union Government, under the influence of the RSS, was trying to convert the country into a Hindu state. TNS