BJP to launch ‘awareness’ campaign on disputed CAA

The BJP on Saturday announced a mass contact programme over the amended citizenship law as the party geared up to mobilise support for the contentious legislation amid widespread protests against it.

Party general secretary Bhupender Yadav told reporters that the BJP, within the next 10 days, will contact more than three crore families, organise a rally in every district and hold over 250 press conferences across the country to inform masses about the new law.

The announcement came following a meeting chaired by BJP working president J P Nadda. It was attended by the party's national office bearers and some organisational leaders from states.

Yadav accused opposition parties of "disturbing" peace in the country and spreading confusion over the law.

He said the party will also involve beneficiaries of the amended law in its information campaign about the statute.

The amended law, termed divisive and discriminatory by the opposition for making religion a ground for citizenship, seeks to give citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain and Parsi immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who arrived in India before January , 2015 due to persecution. The list excludes Muslims.

The ongoing protests have claimed several lives as many believe that the law in conjunction with the NRC will discriminate against Muslim citizens.