Shocked to see Dalit leaders protesting against CAA: PM Modi

Addressing a huge gathering at Delhi's Ramleela Maida, he said Dalit leaders were seen fiercely protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act, but they claim to protect them and fight for their rights.

Making a blistering attack on Dalit leaders, he said, "I ask them, do they not want the Dalit refugees to find dignity on our soil? I ask them why are they forgetting their ideologies and protesting CAA?"

"When the victims of religious persecution come to India, they try to reach a police station or a government official to seek protection in India, to get help. They openly declare that they left their homes out of fear. Their daughters are being forcefully married and converted, they relate all that. they don't hide. But, the infiltrators don't do such things. They go into hiding. They don't reach any police station or government office," he said pointing out the difference between refugees and infiltrators.

"I ask these political parties, do you not understand the difference between refugees and infiltrators?" he questioned.

Flaying the Congress leadership, he said, "Those who are using Gandhiji's surname, do they remember what he had said? Gandhiji had said Sikhs and Hindus of Pakistan will be welcomed whenever they want to come to India. Those who are using the Gandhi surname should know it. We are only fulfilling the promise made 70 years ago. The BJP-led NDA government is only fulfilling that promise. Why didn't you fulfill the promise? You didn't because it came in the way of the kind of politics you do, the vote bank politics."

Continuing his attack, the Prime Minister said, "Today, I want to remind them of the promise they made 70 years ago."

"Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had been the Prime Minister of India for 10 years, had in the Parliament said that the victims of religious persecution in the neighbouring countries should be given citizenship in India. they should be helped," he pointed out.

"One of the top leaders of Congress, Tarun Gogoi, who was the chief minister of Assam,  wrote letters to the Centre during his tenure seeking help for the victims of religious persecution in Bangladesh. Ashok Gehlot did the same for refugees who fled Pakistan out of fear. Yet, now they are speaking against it, May I ask, why?" he stated.

Taking on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had sought a referendum on CAA under United Nations, he said, "Let's talk about Mamata Banerjee..Mamata seedhi UN chali gayi(Mamata went straight to United Nations)...earlier she would protest vehemently in Parliament against Bangladeshi infiltrators...but look at her, now."

"I ask you(Mamata Banerjee), what has happened to you? Why did you change your stand? I know you have taken a u-turn as it is against your political interests. Why have you lost faith in the loyalty of people of Bengal?" Modi quipped.

Launching a scathing attack at the Left, he said, "Communists have been reduced to a minority in the country and across the world, they are shrinking.. and now they are looking to gain credibility through their mindless protests against CAA. Prakash Karat ji, who is the President of CPI(M), had once said that people fleeing Bangladesh due to religious persecution should be given citizenship."

Attacking the non-BJP states, who have said they will not allow CAA in their states, Modi said, "People who are in authority, elected by people, are head of Constitutional governments, say they will not implement CAA. They should ask their advocate general if what they are claiming is possible."

"It pains me to see that, people are taking to roads, picking laths, stones to protest...but when they carry the flag in their hands, I know finally there is hope, sense and peace will prevail," he said.