Tamil Superstar Vijay calls citizenship law CAA "Unacceptable"

Mangalore Today News Network / NDTV

Chennai, March 12, 2024: Tamil superstar Vijay on Monday called the Citizenship (Amendment) Act "unacceptable" and called on the Tamil Nadu government to not allow its implementation in the state.

The CAA aims to grant citizenship to persecuted minorities from three neighbouring countries. The law came into effect yesterday following a gazette notification by the central government.

Vijay, who announced a new political party Tamizha Vetri Kazhagam last month, said in a press release that the CAA is being implemented due to "divisive politics".

"A law like the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 is not acceptable in an environment where citizens of the country live with social harmony. The Tamil Nadu government must assure that they will not implement the law in the state," he said.

Vijay’s TVK party will not contest the Lok Sabha polls despite his political plunge ahead of the elections. He has announced that the 2026 Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu will be his party’s first electoral innings.

Echoing similar views, another South star, Kamal Haasan, accused the government of trying to divide people and destroy the harmony of India before elections.

"In its desperation to win the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the BJP Government has hurriedly notified the Citizenship Amendment Act, on the eve of the elections. The timing of the notification is more questionable, considering the Supreme Court is determining the constitutional validity of this law," said Mr Haasan.

Mr Haasan said his outfit Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) has "unwaveringly opposed the Act, legally and politically" and was the first party to challenge the CAA in the Supreme Court. "Those who try to divide our citizens on the basis of religion, language, and caste will get a reality check in the upcoming elections," he added.

MNM will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in an alliance with the DMK.

Under the CAA, the centre can grant citizenship to persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, Jain, or Christian communities - from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan - who came to India on or before December 31, 2014 to flee from religious persecution. This exempts Muslims and Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.