Shashi Tharoor backs IUML in legal fight against CAA

Member of Parliament (MP) from the Indian National Congress (INC) Shashi Tharoor has expressed solidarity with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) over their decision to approach the Supreme Court against the Central Government over the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). “I consider this morally and constitutionally wrong... I'm fully in support of the decision of the Indian Union Muslim League to go to the Supreme Court against this. And I must say, if the INDIA alliance and the Congress party come to power, we will withdraw this provision of the law beyond any shadow of a doubt. It's going to be in our manifesto. We will not support introducing religion into our citizenship and into our nation's life,” Shashi Tharoor said. 

Shashi Tharoor however qualified his statement by mentioning that in principle, the idea is commendable. “Under the CAA, there would be fast-track citizenship for those who've been seeking refuge from neighbouring countries. That's a very good principle. Those who are fleeing the neighbouring countries, who fear persecution there on any grounds, should be given asylum in our country. And I would have welcomed this law. But the moment you say people of one religion are excluded, what does that mean? You are basically leaving out people who may also desire to become Indian because of persecution... What about people who have come from Pakistan who may have been born Muslim but who have rejected that country and who have been persecuted in that country,” Shashi Tharoor added.