Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused his political rivals of stoking fears among the people and misleading Muslims about the Citizenship Amendment Act even as protests against the newly amended law continue across India.
Addressing a rally at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, Modi said the people were "incited", adding those in high positions shared fake videos.
He said the citizenship law and the proposed National Register of Citizens have nothing to do with Indian Muslims, two days after police lathi-charged protesters at Daryaganj and detained demonstrators, including minors.
"There has been no talk on NRC anywhere. It was only implemented in Assam after the Supreme Court's direction. Lies are being spread. Educated nasalis -- urban Naxals -- are spreading the rumour that all Muslims will be sent to detention centres."
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"A lie is being spread that this government had brought the law to snatch people's rights," the prime minister said and dared rivals to find anything discriminatory in his work.
Modi asserted, his rivals have resorted to dividing the country through rumours.
Speaking of his schemes, the prime minister questioned if anyone was ever asked about his "religion, caste or whether he goes to a mosque or a temple" before they received benefits.
"Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians all were befitted, everyone who lives here was benefitted. Why did we do this? Because we live for the love of the country. We are dedicated to the mantra of 'Sabka saath, sabka Vikas'," he said.
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PM Modi condemned "violence" against the police during the ongoing protests against the newly amended law. "Thirty-three police personnel laid down their lives during work since independence but now being attacked mercilessly. They are martyrs," he said.
Earlier, the prime minister targetted rivals for not doing enough for unauthorised colonies, adding "I decided I cannot let this go on."
