No logic behind opposition to the CAA

Karnataka’s major cities, including Bengaluru, saw protests against the CAA. Two persons died in police firing in Mangaluru. Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK, said the protests were due to misconceptions about the CAA. Excerpts:

The people opposing the CAA claim it is discriminatory and against Muslims.

There are misconceptions about the CAA, which neither is discriminatory nor decides about citizens on the basis of religion, ethnicity, caste or community.

People fear the CAA will soon be followed by the NRC, which will invariably exclude Muslims. Do you favour the NRC in Karnataka?

It is wrong to assume things. The CAA is about allotment of citizenship to foreigners. How can anyone who is a citizen of this country by birth be excluded? All persons born in India—Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian—are equal. There is no question of discrimination. Not just Karnataka, all states are bound by the law of the land. I want to ask you whether the NRC implementation was the Union government’s decision? The government went by the diktat of the Supreme Court.

Karnataka has witnessed violence and two deaths in the anti-CAA protests. You met minority community leaders, seeking their cooperation to maintain peace. What is their apprehension and what assurance did you give them?

Leaders of the minority communities, who came out in large numbers to meet us, had several misconceptions about the CAA and the NRC. After we explained to them about the act, they not only agreed but also appreciated our stand on both issues. When we addressed their concerns, they told us that nobody had bothered to clarify their doubts regarding the changes in the act.

What was the reason that the protests turned violent in Karnataka?

The people of Karnataka are peace-loving. They are against violence. I regret the incident. However, I think young people on that day [in Mangaluru] were provoked by the speeches of Congress leaders. I went to Mangaluru and consoled the family members of the victims.

Opposition parties feel that imposing prohibitory orders was undemocratic.

I do not understand the opposition leaders making a hue and cry over the police imposing Section 144. Many leaders, who are supporting the agitation against the CAA, particularly leader of the opposition Siddaramaiah, who himself is a lawyer, should know that Section 144 is a preventive law to avert a flare-up of the situation. We imposed Section 144 only to maintain peace and tranquillity in Karnataka. Curfew was imposed when the situation turned violent. It is unfortunate that two persons died in the firing.

At least eight states, including West Bengal and Kerala, are opposing the NRC and the CAA.

I cannot understand the logic behind the opposition to the CAA and the NRC by some states. They cannot go against the Constitution. I am sure they know the meaning of a federal set-up and the role of the states under the federal system. These states are only trying to politicise the issue.

Does Karnataka have illegal migrants? How many people might benefit from the CAA in the state?

Thousands of people from various states have come and settled in Bengaluru. We will ascertain their nativity before they can benefit from the CAA.