CM Ashok Gehlot after addressing an anti-CAA/NRC protest gathering at Shahid Smarak in city on Friday

JAIPUR: Urging the Centre to withdraw the contentious amended Citizenship Act to maintain peace and harmony in the country, chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said that like many others he was not aware of the birthplace of his parents and could land in a detention centre.

In a surprise move late in the evening, Gehlot reached Shahid Smarak— the city’s Shaheen Bagh where anti-CAA/NRC protesters have been staging round-the-clock dharna from February 1— and addressed the gathering.

The chief minister claimed that information on birthplaces of parents was being sought for the National Population Register (NPR).

“If I am not able to furnish the details, I too would be asked to live in a detention centre. But stay assured, if such situation comes then I would be the first to go there,” Gehlot told the protesters.

He demanded the NDA government to “reconsider the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), which is against the spirit of the Constitution, and come forward to withdraw it so that peace and harmony can be maintained”.

He assured protesters that the Congress and the state government were with them and, if required, he would be the first to go to a detention centre.

He said the BJP government in Assam has refused to implement the National Register of Citizens ( NRC ).

“It is the right of a government to make a law, but a government should rule as per the sentiments of the people. Like Delhi's Shaheen Bagh, protests are being held at many places across the country, including Rajasthan . The government should understand public sentiments,” he said.

Several states were against CAA and have passed resolutions in assemblies. "We want the Centre to reconsider its decision,” he added.



In Video: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot visits Jaipur's 'Shaheen Bagh', demands CAA rollback