The Modi government, led by the NDA, declared the initiation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) preceding the imminent Lok Sabha elections. This choice to put into effect the regulations of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act occurred before the activation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
In a statement on X, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared, “Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be notifying today, the Rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019). These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for grant of Indian citizenship. The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided.”
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be notifying today, the Rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019). These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for grant of Indian citizenship. (1/2)
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) March 11, 2024
As expected, the Dravidian parties expressed opposition to the notification of CAA. However, what caught everyone’s attention was Actor Vijay coming out with a statement on his party – Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam’s X handle opposing the CAA.
The press release read, “Any law like the Indian Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA) is not acceptable in an environment where all the people of the country are living in social harmony. The rulers should give an assurance that they will not implement this law in Tamil Nadu.”
#CitizenshipAmendmentAct pic.twitter.com/4iO2VqQnv4
— TVK Vijay (@tvkvijayhq) March 11, 2024
To date, it was unclear what path actor Vijay’s party would take with respect to doing politics. This was especially after learning of his party’s name which did not have the word “Dravidam” in it. Many expected him to offer a really good alternative to the existing Dravidian parties. But with this statement, the social media platforms erupted with anger and disappointment. Here are some netizen reactions. Some questioned if Vijay had indeed any basic knowledge of the CAA that he made such a statement.
I think this dude mistook state govt as the producer's union. #CAA https://t.co/h3DCzHUHXh
— Major Madhan Kumar 🇮🇳 (@major_madhan) March 12, 2024
This dumbwit @actorvijay doesn't even know that CAA has nothing to do with Indian citizens & this act is to give citizenship to minorities who have been persecuted outside India. https://t.co/8sY2cIX8H7
— Mitesh Jain (Modi Ka Pariwar) (@MK7786) March 12, 2024
Some others challenged Vijay to give a press meet and explain to his fans and followers about his understanding of the CAA and why it is detrimental to the “harmony” of the country.
All you need to do is scratch the surface and you'll see how vacant headed these actors are!
Vijay must give a presser and explain CAA to the public and see if he has understood it right! https://t.co/xTuutzpEqf— KishoreIyer (@KishoreIyer5) March 12, 2024
Vijay Avl, Can You Pl Lets Us All Know In What Way Is CAA going To Affect Indians ??
FYKI It Gives A Chance To Persecuted Christians Also From These Countries A Chance To Live With Dignity.. https://t.co/kL0USHqUbc
— BJP Sashi Kumar Subramony 🇮🇳 (Modi Ka Pariwar) (@ActorSashi) March 12, 2024
Rhetorical Politics won't work @actorvijay anna.. As an Aspiring Alternative you must provide details on how it affects Indians.. https://t.co/Z2hBffpWWj
— Arun Ramesh 🇮🇳 (@arun10venkat) March 11, 2024
This dude thinks that #CAA is like his film "Thalaivaa", the release of which could be halted by State Government..
Maybe, today he will release a crying video, pleading that CAA be revoked..
Just #vijay things… https://t.co/yetyvFpPII
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) March 12, 2024
Some compared him to MNM’s Kamal Haasan who recently made a u-turn to join hands with the DMK in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls – a party which he said he would be an alternative for.
Another komalihaasan in making. A letter pad and two lines. Can Mr. Vijay explain why is he opposing this act? It's time, TN come of this cinema craze and elect educated and talented politicians.
Between Mr. Vijay, CAA is also for persecuted Christians in Pak. FYI. https://t.co/o8VtjYlmd6— Living Temples Of Bharat (@Saigeet36566874) March 12, 2024
Another Half Boil Dubakkor in making.#TVK = #MNM Version 2.0 ( #DMK B Team) that’s all.#CAA #Vijay https://t.co/GcgaZ5tFwd
— Aryabhata | ஆர்யபட்டா 🕉️ (@Aryabhata99) March 11, 2024
So film actor #Vijay is AGAINST #Hindus, #Christians, #Sikhs & #Jains who r persecuted by our neighboring Islamic nation.
He proves that he is a dimwit & B team of #DMK , Just like #KamalHaasan’s #MNM #TVK #CAA #TamilagaVettriKazhagam #CitizenAmendmentAct https://t.co/GcgaZ5tFwd
— Aryabhata | ஆர்யபட்டா 🕉️ (@Aryabhata99) March 11, 2024
It is noteworthy that CAA is under the Union list and it is the Parliament that has the power to implement it, the State has no role to play.
How state government can stop implementation of CAA? @tvkvijayhq https://t.co/UKeeKnZ5JA
— Iswarya Mohan (@IswaryaMohan7) March 11, 2024
What has “Tamil Nadu” got to do with the implementation of CAA?
Citizenship is for the nation & not for a state,how can the legislators of TN assure of not bringing it into practice?!
Absurd.
Btw,you must brief on what you mean by divisive politics!#CitizenshipAmendmentAct https://t.co/K0hYFuJQpp— Bharanika Sridar (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@BharanikaSridar) March 11, 2024
Several others questioned his silence on the recent drug bust and the connection with the Tamil film industry.
This new party #TVK kept mum on the drug menace being discussed in Tamilnadu which is more likely impactful life event for current & future generation. Jumps into bandwagon to pass judgement on #CAA exposing imbecility of intellect. At the best #TVK is alternate to #NTK segment… https://t.co/UVIkopt9Ga
— Karthik Dharmapuri (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DKKarthik15) March 12, 2024
The CAA has nothing to do with Indians in the first place. It applies to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan where they are facing religious persecution, and those who already arrived in India before 1 December 2014.
It benefits the persecuted minorities from these countries by reducing their residency requirement from 11 to 5 years and they can claim citizenship as a right under this law. Muslims on the other hand from these countries are also not affected – they will go through the usual process of acquiring citizenship through naturalisation rules – 11 years of residency.
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