Anti-CAA race hots up in Kerala with both LDF, UDF launching protests
With both the ruling party and the Opposition taking to the streets in protest against the same Act, CAA looks set to dominate the election campaign this time
The notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 (CAA) is almost certain to alter the electoral scenario in Kerala, even though the BJP is not likely to benefit from it.
In 2019-20, anti-CAA protests proved highly advantageous for the Left Democratic Front (LDF), as they successfully swayed minority votes in favour of the ruling coalition, marking its a significant comeback in the 2020 Local Self Government (LSG) and the subsequent 2021 assembly elections after the drubbing in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Strongly-worded message from CM
Immediately after the announcement of the CAA notification on Monday (March 11), Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wasted no time in issuing a strongly-worded statement underscoring the government’s firm stance that the rules would not be implemented in the state under any circumstances, nor would the proposed National Register for Citizens (NRC).
“This can only be seen as part of the Hindutva communal agenda of the Sangh Parivar. Denying citizenship to Muslims while granting citizenship to non-Muslims who immigrated to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014, is a blatant violation of the Constitution. It amounts to defining Indian citizenship on the basis of religion. It is an open challenge to humanity, the nation’s secular tradition and its people,” read his statement.
Law Minister P Rajeev held a late-night media conference to state that the government would take steps to intervene in the pending application before the Supreme Court.
A DYFI protest march in Kannur
Quick protests from Left
Within an hour of the CAA notification, V Vaseef, the CPI(M) candidate for the Malappuram constituency and the state president of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), was seen leading a torchlight march in protest. Over a hundred workers, including young women, swiftly took to the streets, chanting anti-CAA and anti-BJP slogans, responding to DYFI’s call for a spontaneous night march against the legislation.
While the Congress-led Opposition and certain Muslim organisations also staged demonstrations in specific areas, the CPI(M) cadres exhibited greater organisation and spontaneity in their protests. While DYFI and SFI activists wasted no time in organising night marches across the state, UDF workers took out a railway station march at Kozhikode late into the night, blocking a train for 10 minutes.
UDF calls stir
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has also proposed protest marches in all 140 Assembly segments. UDF partner Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), one of the litigants in the Supreme Court, has approached the top court for a stay in the implementation of the law. Muslim Youth League, the youth wing of the IUML, has called for a protest march on Tuesday night whereas the CPI(M) has planned local committee-level protests in more than 2,500 spots across the state.
A DYFI activist burns a copy of the Bill in symbolic protest
“We are not opposed to granting citizenship to distressed and persecuted individuals, but we oppose discrimination based on religion. The court previously stated that there was no need for a stay, as the central government had filed an affidavit stating that the rules were not formulated. Now, we are highlighting the circumstances in court,” said Haris Beeran, the lawyer who filed the application on behalf of the IUML.
Race to court
DYFI is also approaching the court against the notification, and its legal subcommittee is working on the draft.
“This is a direct challenge to the Constitution. We are organising protest marches across the state, and wherever possible, we will continue to protest. We are currently discussing the matter with jurists, and our legal subcommittee is actively involved. We are exploring avenues to bring this issue to the attention of the Supreme Court,” AA Rahim, MP and president of the DYFI, told The Federal.
“We urge the Congress to take a stronger stance and join us on the streets, at least this time. They have not taken a firm stance since the Bill was introduced. We are open-minded, and anyone who cooperates will be welcome,” added Rahim.
Accusations and counter-accusations
With both political fronts opposing the law and its implementation, the race has escalated to determine who acts swiftly and who lacks sincerity in their approach. Accusations are being hurled by both fronts against each other.
“The sincerity of the CPI(M)’s stance is questionable, given the government’s inaction in withdrawing cases against the anti-CAA protesters of 2019-20. Even though over 800 cases have been registered in the state, only 63 have been withdrawn, despite government assurances to the contrary,” said Rahul Mamkoottathil, the state president of the Youth Congress.
What BJP says
A A Rahim, however, defended the government, stating that withdrawing a case is a prolonged process, and it’s not feasible to drop every case. “Cases against protesting individuals are part of the police and judicial procedure. Even if the government wants to, it’s not possible to withdraw every case. Despite the LDF government ruling the state, we ourselves have cases against us for protesting on the streets; it’s simply part of the process,” Rahim said.
On the other hand, the BJP maintains that the CAA is not aimed at any particular community, and no state can obstruct its implementation. “The chief minister is misleading the people by stating that the CAA will not be implemented in Kerala. No state can evade the obligation of implementing a central law,” remarked Suresh Gopi, the BJP candidate for Thrissur.
With both the ruling party and the Opposition deciding to take to the streets in protest against the same act, albeit in different ways, the CAA is undoubtedly going to dominate the election campaign this time.