The CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala have come out strongly against the Centre’s decision to enforce the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019.
Both fronts have labelled it as a strategic move to divert attention from the setback the government received from the Supreme Court in the electoral bond case.
Shortly after the Union Home Ministry notified the CAA, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated that the CAA would not be implemented in the state. In a statement, CM Vijayan said that the entire Kerala is United in opposing this communally divisive law.
KPCC president K Sudhakaran urged the people of the state to oppose the Act with all their might.
“We declare that once the INDI alliance comes to power, the CAA will be thrown into the Arabian Sea. I urge everyone to vigorously oppose the implementation of this Act, which is a communally divisive law,” Sudhakaran said.
Opposition leader VD Satheesan said that the BJP government at the Centre is employing a fascist strategy to remain in power by fragmenting communities.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has decided to approach the Supreme Court, seeking a stay on the implementation of the CAA. ” We will move the apex court and seek legal remedy,” IUML leader PK Kunhalikutty said.
Meanwhile, hours after the Centre notified the CAA, the DYFI, the youth wing of the CPM, and the Youth Congress staged protests in various parts of Kerala. The DYFI held night marches in Kozhikode, Kollam and other places in the state in protest against the Act on Monday.
The Youth Congress workers blocked the Malabar Express at the Kozhikode railway station. They were forcefully removed by the police. The Youth Congress workers also blocked the Maveli Express at the Ernakulam south railway station. The workers of the Welfare Party of India and the SDPI staged a protest march before the Kerala Raj Bhavan on Tuesday.