NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, FEB 5
After several days of passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill passed in both the houses of the parliament and later became an act, Superstar Rajinikanth asserted that the legislation did not pose any threat to Muslims here on Wednesday.
When the nation is facing vociferous protests, the actor wondered as to how Muslims, who chose back in India following partition, will be sent out of the country.
“CAA is no threat to Muslims, if they face trouble I will be the first person to raise voice for them,” he told reporters here.
Besides, the central government has assured that Indian people will have no issues in view of the Citizenship Amendment Act, he noted.
Alleging that some political parties were instigating people against CAA for their selfish interests, he also blamed religious leaders for supporting protests against the act and dubbed it “very wrong.”
While extending his support for the National Population Register (NPR) exercise, the actor said this is “very, very essential,” and added that the Congress has done it in 2010 and also it was done in 2015. It needs to be done to identify those who are Indians/who are foreigners — which country they are from. Shouldn’t we know this? It is very, very essential and it has to be done. I don’t know what problem others have with this,” he said.
Rajinikanth also cited the Central government’s assurances about the CAA – that it would not affect Indian citizens in anyway. “It is about giving citizenships to people who have come from neighbouring countries. A big scare has been created that Muslims will be affected. How will it affect Indian Muslims? The Muslims in India decided to stay back here during Partition stating that India is their land and that they will live and die here. How can they be sent out? If something like that happens, I will be the first one to speak out on behalf of Muslims,” he said.
Rajinikanth further said that a few political parties are instigating these protests for political gain. “Some religious gurus are also supporting these efforts. This is very wrong,” he said. He also appealed to the students who have been protesting across India to understand and comprehend the issues around CAA, NRC and NPR. “Please do proper research on the subject, ask your parents and professors about this issue and then protest. Otherwise, political leaders will use you. Nobody knows how police will react. If an FIR is lodged, then it will become an issue in your life,” the actor warns the students.
