Over 300 people, headed by DMK youth wing secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin took to the streets in Saidapet in Chennai to protest against the AIADMK’s support for the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act. The protesters tore copies of the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 (as it was till it received Presidential approval) and raised slogans against the central and state governments.
After over half an hour, the police detained over 30 members of the opposition party, who were taken away in government buses.
The bill, which excludes Muslims, Jews and atheists from the benefits it seeks to give to refugees fleeing religious persecution, was passed on Wednesday in the Rajya Sabha with the support of AIADMK’s 11 MPs.
DMK has blamed AIADMK for betraying the people, as by not including Sri Lanka in the list of countries from which refugees get benefits, it also excludes Sri Lankan Tamils.
Students of New College also sat in protest and raised slogans condemning the government for dividing people based on religion.
DMK President MK Stalin had issued a statement after the passage of the Bill, stating, “I strongly condemn Palaniswami for the unpardonable betrayal of the minorities and the Eelam [meaning homeland and a term loosely used to denote Lankan Tamils] Tamils by supporting the CAB in both the Houses of Parliament.”
“What is the need for a separate party if the AIADMK subscribed to the BJP’s ideology,”MK Stalin, DMK President, in a statement
“History will record the AIADMK government as "servile," to the BJP-led Centre and bent against the Tamil race,” he alleged.
The DMK chief posted on Twitter that:
“It is unconstitutional to link citizenship with religion. #CAB2019 is a direct assault on secularism, equality and fraternity - principles which are essential to any democracy. AIADMK once again stands completely exposed for its decision to support this immoral legislation.”
In the Parliament, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva had even moved an amendment to include Sri Lankan Tamils and Muslims, but it was defeated.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)