Many nations following citizenship laws: Shanta

Our Correspondent

Palampur January 19

Former Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar said today that the Citizen (Amendment) Act (CAA) was not a new provision. He said a number of nations had such laws to protect their citizens living in other countries. “No one should oppose it without studying it,” he said.

Shanta, who was interacting with a group of scholars here, said the USA, the UK, Japan, Australia, France and Russia had similar provisions.

He said in Japan, if any citizen wanted to return to his homeland, there was a provision to provide him free air ticket. Besides, the country also extended free education and health facilities to its citizens residing in foreign countries, he said.

“India was lacking such laws and Hindus were being victimised, particularly in our three neighbouring countries. Therefore, this law was the need of the hour and the NDA government came up with it,” he said.

The former CM said immediately after Partition, the problem came to the notice of the Indian government that thousands of Hindus were being persecuted, their properties were set on fire and their valuables looted. Mahatma Gandhi then came to their rescue and announced that such hapless Hindus could come back to their homeland any time. It was supported by first President of India Rajendra Prasad, said Shanta.