Opposition parties sullying country’s image by stoking anti-CAA protests: Yogi

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday accused the Opposition parties of peddling lies and creating confusion across the country on the issue of CAA, proposed NPR and NRC to sully the image of the country by stoking protests.

Yogi said that anti-CAA protests were being intensified at a time when the country was progressing towards becoming a US $5-trillion economy. He was replying to the general debate on 2020-21 annual budget in the Assembly on Wednesday. The Assembly later passed the Finance Bill for the 2020-21 fiscal.

Underlining the ruling BJP ideology of ‘Nation First’, the Chief Minister issued a stern warning to anti-CAA protesters of serious consequences if they indulged in arson and violence, destroyed public property and targeted innocent civilians. Without naming any religion, Yogi said: “Qayamat (The Day of Judgment) is not coming and nobody can be permitted to hold the law to ransom. Let there be no confusion that somebody can hold the rule of law to ransom and carry out anti-national activities with impunity. We know how to deal with this kind of situation.’’

“What do Opposition parties achieve by sullying the image of the country on CAA and by targeting innocent people. We respect the wishes of the Opposition parties, but safety and security of 23 crore people of UP is also our responsibility,” Yogi said while referring to the Prime Minister’s assurance that the CAA would not take away citizenship of any Indian.

The CM added, “UP government is committed to implementing every law legislated by the Parliament of India as we are accountable to the sovereignty of the country, not to any family or individual.’’

Affirming his faith in the democratic process of dialogue with the people, Yogi said, “We have never tried to crack down on peaceful anti-CAA protesters. But the government will not allow arson, violence and destruction of public property under the garb of protests, and damages will be recovered from the culprits.”

The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s stand, saying, “The government believes in dialogue to resolve issues, and not in taking away democratic rights of people voicing dissent. However, the government cannot remain a mute spectator to 12-15 people brandishing swords and creating mayhem on the streets.’’

Maintaining that his government would not allow anyone to take law into their hands and create public disorder or disrupt law and order, Yogi warned that the state government would sternly deal with such situation.

The CM said that anti-CAA protests were taking a toll on development in the state as the administrative machinery was preoccupied in maintaining law and order instead of focusing their time and energy on development.

Yogi asked the Opposition parties to clarify their stand on the issue and explain their basis of opposing the CAA, which he claimed was legislated by Congress at the Centre in 1955, while only minor changes were effected in the recent amendment.

“The floor of the Assembly is the best forum for debate on all issues. The opposition keeps on raising CAA daily in Assembly and come to the Well of the House, but were wary of a debate,’’ he said.

Yogi said that there was a huge image makeover for UP as public perception about the state changed for the positive and this budget was not of the government but of people’s perception.