Actor Rajinikanth extended support to the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, saying, “They (the government) has made it very clear that CAA will not cause any harm.”
He made this statement during a media address on Wednesday, outside his residence at Poes Garden in Chennai. The actor has been criticised for his silence over the ongoing anti-CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC) protests.
He also said that there is ‘huge fear among Muslims’ regarding these laws and vowed to stand up for his “Muslim brothers” if their citizenship is threatened.
“During partition some Muslims went to Pakistan but many Muslims stayed back calling this as their land. How can they be sent back? I will be the first to raise voice if harm falls their way. Some political parties are doing it for their own benefit.”Rajinikanth
Expressing his support for NPR and NRC, he said, “Census is essential. In 2010 and 2015, Congress did it. We need to conduct Census as it is very essential. NRC has not been implemented yet.”
On Srilankan Tamil Refugees
On being asked about concerns over Sri Lankan Tamils not being factored in, he said, “We should give dual citizenship to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees here, but should not disturb those in Sri Lanka calling them as minorities.”
He added that the problem is “about giving citizenship to people of other countries.”
On Student Protests
The actor had a word of advice for the thousands of students protesting across the country.
“I want to tell students, especially if they want to enter a protest, they should discuss with elders and professors because they may be used for political reasons. This can spoil their future.”Actor Rajinikanth
He added, “If there’s an FIR in your name, your life will be over.”
On the night of 19 December, the actor had taken to Twitter to express concern over the violence that had erupted in various parts of the country. The police had attacked students in Delhi for protesting against CAA. The police action sparked nationwide protests.
“Violence and rioting cannot be a way to find solution to any issue,” Rajinikanth had said in a tweet.
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