Our warning fell on deaf ears, says P Chidambaram on Delhi violence

As the violence continued in the northeast Delhi on Tuesday, the Congress slammed the government for not listening to the voice of the people and going ahead with the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act.

Expressing shock at continuing violence, former Union Minister P. Chidambaram said, "We had warned that CAA was deeply divisive and should be repealed or abandoned. Our warning fell on deaf ears. The people are paying the price for putting in power insensitive and short-sighted leaders."

Senior Congress leader also reiterated that its not too late and the CAA could be put in "abeyance" till the apex court pronounced the validity of the law.

"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," added Chidambaram.

The Congress leader also said that India has citizenship law since 1955 and it does not need to be amended.

"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."

Reports of violence and arson in the northeast Delhi continued on Tuesday even as Delhi police confirmed the death of seven people, including a police head constable, in the rioting since Monday.

Rioters used stones, sticks and country-made firearms as pro and anti-CAA groups clashed. Injured persons continue to come in at the GTB hospital in east Delhi area, where violence started on Sunday.