CPI(M) Politburo member and Leader of Opposition in Tripura, Jitendra Chaudhury, has strongly criticized the Union government for extending the cut-off date under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). In a statement on September 6, Chaudhury condemned the move as a “conspiracy to divide people on religious lines” and called for its immediate repeal.
Chaudhury argued that the CAA is unconstitutional as it discriminates on the basis of religion, which goes against the principles of the Indian Constitution. He accused the BJP-led Centre of enacting “extra-constitutional laws” in order to polarize communities for political gains.
The Leader of Opposition highlighted the recent notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, which exempts refugees without valid travel documents from punishment under the CAA. He noted that while the original Act allowed minority groups who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, to apply for citizenship, the new order extends this deadline to December 31, 2024.
Chaudhury expressed concern that this extension could be exploited for electoral purposes, stating, “This is nothing but an attempt to push the boundaries of division for electoral gains.” He also raised the issue of infiltration in Tripura, attributing it to corruption among government officials who allegedly issue documents to infiltrators in exchange for money.
The CPI(M) leader urged the people of Tripura and the Northeast to unite against the CAA, warning that if the law is allowed to continue, divisions among the people will only deepen. He called on citizens to resist what he described as an “unconstitutional and divisive” law that could have far-reaching consequences for the region.
