Congress Stands Firm Against CAA Amid Legal and Political Tussles

The Congress party remains resolute in its promise to repeal the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as BJP's Rajya Sabha tally dips below 90. Protests were held against an Assam government directive advising non-Muslim immigrants entering the state before 2015 to apply for citizenship through CAA, drawing criticism from various political and social groups.

The Congress on Tuesday signaled its readiness to explore avenues for repealing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), following a decrease in the BJP's Rajya Sabha tally below 90 for the first time in years.

Numerous anti-CAA groups took to the streets to protest against an Assam government directive urging non-Muslim immigrants who entered the state before 2015 to seek citizenship under CAA. State Congress spokesperson Bedabrata Bora affirmed the party's unwavering opposition to CAA, stressing that the law would be repealed if Congress assumes power at the Centre.

Bora highlighted that Assam MP Gaurav Gogoi would play a key role in contesting the law in Parliament. Criticisms were also directed at the state government's policy of not forwarding cases of non-Muslim immigrants to the Foreigners Tribunal, instead advising them to apply through CAA. Various organizations, including the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), condemned the directive, labeling it against the Assam Accord. Senior advocate Santanu Borthakur added that the move was ill-timed, given ongoing Supreme Court challenges to the CAA's constitutionality.

(With inputs from agencies.)