'CAA By Itself Serves Nothing': Why I&B Ministry Adviser Wants Act Amended
Kanchan Gupta is proposing a law that would enable any Hindu to legally return to India as its citizen, with some checks and balances
In an interesting turn of events, the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry's senior adviser Kanchan Gupta on Friday called for further amendments to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), claiming the legislation 'serves nothing" by itself. The CAA was passed by the Parliament of India on December 11, 2019, and received presidential assent the next day, making it a law.
'CAA by itself serves nothing. It just adds some political muscle. But it also subtracts because Mamata Banerjee had a field day telling people that if you opt for CAA, you will lose out on your other documents, which you have right now. And frankly, that was the underpinning of the law. So, we need to revisit, and Swapan (Dasgupta) and Agnimitra (Paul)… You are part of the political process over there, and I sincerely request that you push for this larger law of the right to return," said Gupta at an event.
Gupta is proposing a law that would enable any Hindu to legally return to India as its citizen, with some checks and balances. This is reminiscent of how Israel treats every Jew, who can naturally call Israel their homeland. According to Gupta, the checks can vary, 'So long as he or she (a Hindu) is not an accused in a criminal offence or has a criminal background, they will have the right to return to India and get full citizenship and rights associated with it."
'This (right to return) will only address the point that Swapan (Dasgupta) is making that 75,000 Hindus have come into India ever since August 5, 2024, and mind you, that flow will only increase if elections are held next year and Jamat comes to power in association with the Hizb ut-Tahrir. So, we are looking ahead at bad times," he warned.
Former Rajya Sabha lawmaker and BJP's national executive member Swapan Dasgupta alleged that a massive illegal influx in Newtown—an upmarket suburb near Kolkata—is shifting the character of the city. 'In Kolkata, there is an area called Newtown, which is now entirely occupied by Rohingyas. The police also say that it has become a complete no-go area. How they came and settled there is unclear. There is a complete demographic shift taking place in certain parts of the country," he alleged.
West Bengal MLA Agnimitra Paul, in a rather upset tone, claimed the BJP is fighting its 'final fight" in Bengal in 2026.
'Whatever is happening in Bengal is no different than what happened in Kashmir in the 1990s with Kashmiri Hindus," she claimed while adding that illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas find 'protection" in the state. 'That's why after Bihar, we also want SIR to be implemented in Bengal."
view comments
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
19 minutes ago
- The Hindu
PWD takes possession of disputed Imambara in M.P.'s Dhar; heavy force deployed
The Public Works Department (PWD) of the Madhya Pradesh Government has taken the possession of a disputed Imambara from the local Muslim community in Dhar district under heavy police protection, authorities said on Thursday (August 21, 2025). A large number of personnel remain deployed in the area. On the intervening night of August 19 and 20, the PWD took possession of the long-disputed property from the local Tazia Committee over a month after the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) ruled in the favour of the department. The local Tazia Committee has challenged the move in the Supreme Court. Dhar Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Kumar Singh told The Hindu that at least 1,500 security personnel, including one company of the Special Task Force (STF) and two companies of the Special Armed Forces (SAF), and surveillance from neighbouring buildings as well as drones. The multi-layered security arrangements remain in place given the sensitivity of the matter, he added. A local Hindu body, Sanskritik Dharohar Raksha Manch Samiti had been running a campaign to get it vacated since 2021 and has submitted requests to the district administration. Earlier this year, the district administration issued a notice to the Tazia Committee, prompting the body to move the Madhya Pradesh High Court against it. However, in April, 2025, the High Court directed the Dhar SDM to decide on the matter, who after hearing representation from the concerned sides, declared in the favour of the PWD on July 14. The Muslim body approached the Divisional Commissioner against the order which was turned down, prompting it to move the Supreme Court. Mr. Singh said, 'The building used to be the property of the Dhar ruler earlier and had been under the control of the PWD since the independence. In 1973, the Tazia Committee took it on rent for about two weeks to prepare the Muharram tazias and has been in their possession ever since.' He said that for a month after the SDM court's order, the police and the administration had held several meetings with community leaders and bodies from both Hindu and Muslim communities to ensure that the possession can be taken peacefully. 'The situation is peaceful in the area but we have kept the security cover to prevent any incident,' he said. Dhar has been communally sensitive for years due to multiple religious disputes, including the famous Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque dispute between the Hindu and Muslim communities.
The Hindu
19 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Punjab Finance Minister Cheema criticises Centre's GST rate rationalisation, terms it ‘irresponsible'
Criticising the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate rationalisation and terming it 'irresponsible', Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has asked the Central government to immediately release compensation of ₹50,000 crore to Punjab to cover losses after GST implementation. After participating in the two-day meeting of the GST ministerial group on health and insurance, rationalising rates, and compensation cess, Mr. Cheema said that since the implementation of GST in 2017, Punjab has suffered a total financial loss of ₹1,11,045 crore. Also read: Required reforms: On reforms to the GST system He said that despite receiving approximately ₹60,000 crore as compensation from the Centre, ₹50,000 crore is still pending. The Central government had announced a 5-year compensation package to states in lieu of financial losses incurred due to GST implementation, but this compensation has now been discontinued, he said. 'While the Punjab government is not opposed to the rationalisation of GST rates, the Union government must take responsibility for the resulting financial losses to the states. The BJP-led Central government is continuously undermining the financial structure of states, which is a significant attack on the federal structure of the country. The Central government is even evading the release of funds to Punjab. Apart from GST, ₹8,000 crore of rural development funds and over ₹1,000 crore under the Prime Minister's Road Scheme are also being withheld,' he said. Hitting out at the BJP-led Union government for repeatedly making changes to the GST system without reaching a definitive solution, Mr. Cheema said this uncertainty leads to constant harassment of taxpayers and a systematic breakdown of the country's financial framework. The gambling with the tax structure would cause massive harm to the nation, he said, dismissing the Centre's promises as mere rhetoric.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
CRPF commandos take over inner cordon of CM security after attack
New Delhi: Commandos from Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will now handle the inner cordon of Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta's security. A day after she was attacked at her official residence during a Jan Sunwai, the central govt revised her security details following a threat assessment by intelligence agencies. The Union home ministry on Thursday accorded Z-category CRPF cover to Gupta. She was initially provided Z-category security cover by Delhi Police, which was later upgraded to Z+. However, after Wednesday's attack, CRPF will oversee the immediate cordon while Delhi Police personnel will guard the outer perimeter. Several other measures, including prior verification of the visitors, are going to be put in place to avoid a repeat of any such incident. At least 22 commandos from CRPF's VIP Security Group were asked to take over the security apparatus on Thursday morning, covering both mobile and static duties. The elite group guards Union home minister Amit Shah and his family and members of the Gandhi family, among other entities facing a high level of threat. Around five commandos will form the immediate cordon while the rest will guard the house and vicinity in shifts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Replace Your Entire Roof in as Little as 1 Day! Metal Roofing Innovations Learn More Undo You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi | Gold Rates Today in Delhi | Silver Rates Today in Delhi The CRPF cover will, however, be extended to her only in Delhi, based on her high threat perception, said sources. The decision was taken after the threat assessment conducted by Intelligence Bureau and other agencies expressed a greater level of threat to CM Gupta, particularly during public hearings. It has been suggested to avoid close proximity with unverified people, an officer said. Gupta earlier had around 45 personnel, including pilot escort, personal security officers, house guards, checking staff and woman commandos. This is according to the norms laid down in Yellow Book, which prescribes the security cover for constitutional posts. Till now, an ACP-rank officer from Delhi Police was the security in-charge while three inspectors ran the apparatus in eight-hour shifts. There were also door-frame metal detectors at her residence and a senior liaison officer from the security unit of Delhi Police conducted regular checks. Henceforth, the search-and-frisk staff may be asked to verify visitors prior to their appointment with CM so that no criminal element could come close to her. The man who attacked her on Wednesday was involved in multiple cases. An additional barricade or partition may also be placed to ensure her safety, sources said. Former CMs Atishi was accorded Z-category security while Arvind Kejriwal was given Z+ cover. Kejriwal also received additional protection with around 63 people guarding him following multiple attacks. Of them, 45-47 personnel were in his close protection team while 15 were from Central Armed Police Force. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
