In a recent campaign event at Mangsang in East Garo Hills, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma reiterated his party’s position on the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Sangma, while campaigning for his party’s candidate Smt Agatha Sangma, addressed concerns regarding misinformation surrounding the CAA and highlighted the party’s efforts in ensuring the exemption of Sixth Schedule Areas from its implementation.
“Our opponents are resorting to spreading misinformation regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA),” Conrad K Sangma stated during his speech. “It’s important to remind them that our party actively engaged with central leadership & stakeholders to ensure the exemption of CAA implementation in 6th Schedule Areas.”
The Sixth Schedule Areas refer to the tribal-dominated regions of Northeast India, including parts of Meghalaya, where special provisions under the Constitution provide for autonomous district councils to safeguard the interests of indigenous communities.
CM Conrad K Sangma further clarified the objectives of the CAA, emphasizing that it aims to provide citizenship to persecuted non-Muslims from neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India before the cutoff date of December 2014. “It’s essential to emphasize that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) aims to grant citizenship to persecuted non-Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who arrived in India before the December 2014 deadline,” he affirmed.
The Citizenship Amendment Act, passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2019, has been a subject of intense debate and protests across the country. Critics argue that the Act violates the secular principles of the Indian Constitution by offering preferential treatment to certain religious groups. However, proponents, including Sangma’s party, assert that the Act is a humanitarian gesture aimed at providing refuge to persecuted minorities facing religious persecution in neighboring countries.
