Bengaluru: The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) resonated in the joint session of the legislative bodies on the second day in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, February 18.
Former chief minister and Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, along with legislator Priyank Kharge, requested Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Khageri to discuss CAA, to which the latter said that an opportunity for a discussion on the amended Act would be provided at 3 pm.
Condemning the denial of a discussion on the CAA, the Opposition party leaders demanded a discussion under Rule No. 66. Speaker Kageri then passed a ruling that a discussion be made on Governor Vajubhai Vala’s speech presented in the House on Monday, February 17.
Continuing his argument, Siddaramaiah slammed the BJP government saying, “By implementing the CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC), the BJP is trying to mislead society. They have restricted both the CAA and NRC to one particular community. If people revolt against it, they slap a case against them saying that they are indulging in anti-national activities. They are misusing the police department as it has become like a ‘puppet’ under the BJP regime. The law and order of the state has completely collapsed.”
“During the anti-CAA protest, the police had clamped Section 144. This has been ruled illegal by the Karnataka High Court in its recent verdict. In the Mangaluru police firing incident, two innocent lives were lost. The state government has shown its cruel nature by committing such an act,” he added.
Meanwhile, as the Speaker reiterated that the discussion should only be on the Governor’s speech and passed a ruling on the same, the Opposition leaders walked out of the House.
