Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. | File image

Key Highlights The government must take care of its citizens first, and then care about people from other countries, Kejriwal said As per the new law, religious minorities in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who have suffered religious persecution and have entered India by 31 December 2014, will be granted citizenship rights

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 an “unnecessary” legislation and said that the law will impact not only Muslims but Hindus as well. He has also appealed to everyone to reject the law.

Speaking at a town hall event in New Delhi, Kejriwal said that he appeals to the central government with ‘folded hands’ to take back the ‘controversial negotiation’, news agency PTI reported.

“We do not need this law...it is completely unnecessary. Where will we accommodate two crore Hindus from Pakistan?” asked the Delhi Chief Minister, who is seeking a consecutive term in the upcoming Assembly elections.

The government must take care of its citizens first, and then care about people from other countries, he added.

“I do not understand this legislation. The need of the hour is to provide employment to our children rather than bringing this legislation which is not needed in India,” Kejriwal claimed.

As per the new law, religious minorities in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who have suffered religious persecution and have entered India by 31 December 2014, will be granted citizenship rights in the country, and they will no longer be considered ‘illegal immigrants’.

This move by the Centre has triggered a massive row, with several peaceful as well as violent protests breaking out across the country, calling it ‘discriminatory’ and ‘draconian’.

“The issue over the amended citizenship law is not about Hindus and Muslims. The Act will affect people from both religions,” Kejriwal added.