Citizenship Amendment Act About Giving Rights, Not Taking Them Away: PM Modi From Kolkata

Modi also said whoever has faith in India and believes in its Constitution can become an Indian citizen. "There are a lot of questions among the youth about the new citizenship law, and some are being misled by rumours around it... it is our duty to clear their doubts," the PM said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday once again clarified that the Citizenship Act or CAA is about giving rights and not about taking them away.

Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday once again clarified that the Citizenship Act or CAA is about giving rights and not about taking them away. Clearing misconceptions on CAA allegedly being fuelled by opposition parties, Prime Minister said a section of the youth is being misguided about the Act and asserted that it will not take away anybody's citizenship. "CAA is a law to provide citizenship, it does not snatch citizenship. The government is providing citizenship through the law, it is not taking back the citizenship of anyone," Modi said while addressing youth at Belur Math. Speaking on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the day when India celebrates National Youth Day across the country, Modi said youth and other citizens of the country are being misled on the CAA which came into force on Friday almost a month after Parliament passed it on December 11. Modi also said whoever has faith in India and believes in its Constitution can become an Indian citizen. "There are a lot of questions among the youth about the new citizenship law, and some are being misled by rumours around it... it is our duty to clear their doubts," the PM said. He said that the government is following the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi and the new citizenship law is facilitating those migrants facing persecution. The Prime Minister also said that the Centre has made provisions to protect the identity, demography, and culture of the North-East. Watch | PM Modi in WB: CAA will not deprive anyone of citizenship Lauding the youth for speaking against religious persecution of minorities, the prime minister said the energy of the country's young will form the basis of change in the 21st century. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (with inputs from agencies)