Anti-CAA violence: Chidambaram slams ‘insensitive’, ‘shortsighted’ leaders
The senior Congress leader said the amendment to the CAA should be abandoned forthwith and the government should listen to the voices of the anti-CAA protesters by keeping the CAA in abeyance till the Supreme Court gave its verdict.
Condemning the violence in Delhi, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Tuesday said people are paying the price for putting in power "insensitive and shortsighted" leaders.
In a series of tweets, he said the amendment to the CAA should be abandoned forthwith and the government should listen to the voices of the anti-CAA protesters by keeping the CAA in abeyance till the Supreme Court gave its verdict.
A head constable was among seven people killed and at least 50 others, including several paramilitary and Delhi Police personnel, were injured as violence spiralled over the amended citizenship law in northeast Delhi on Monday.
Frenzied protesters torched houses, shops, vehicles and a petrol pump, besides hurling stones.
Chidambaram said the violence in Delhi on Monday and the loss of lives are most shocking and deserve the strongest condemnation. "The people are paying the price for putting in power insensitive and shortsighted leaders," he said.
India has lived with the Citizenship Act 1955 without the amendment. Why does the Act need an amendment now? The amendment (CAA) should be abandoned forthwith.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 25, 2020
Even now it is not too late. The government should listen to the voices of the anti-CAA protesters and declare that the CAA will be kept in abeyance until the Supreme Court pronounced on its validity.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 25, 2020
The Congress leader said his party had warned that CAA was "deeply divisive" and should be repealed or abandoned. "Our warning fell on deaf ears," he said.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called an urgent meeting of MLAs and officials from the violence-hit areas.
Am v worried abt prevailing situation in certain parts of Del. All of us together shud make all efforts to restore peace in our city. I again urge everyone to shun violence
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 25, 2020
Am meeting all MLAs (of all parties) of affected areas along wid senior officials in a while
दिल्ली में हम सभी को मिल कर फिर से शांति बहाल करनी है। सरकार की तरफ़ से हम हर कदम उठा रहे हैं। pic.twitter.com/8QBWKlcetJ
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 25, 2020
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