COIMBATORE: It has become a fashion for some countries to comment about India’s internal affairs, said Vice-President

on Friday. “I tell them, you manage your internal affairs, we are capable of managing our internal affairs. Can we discuss BREXIT in our Indian parliament?” Naidu while addressing the students of PSG College of Arts and Science.

Naidu was referring to many countries expressing concern over India withdrawing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution. Naidu also spoke about the Citizenship Amendment Act (

).

According to Naidu, the CAA does not have anything to do with Indian citizens. He stated that the Act is meant for people who are persecuted in the neighbouring countries.

He advised students and people to read the many debates on the Citizenship Amendment Act and Article 370 that have taken place in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

“I want children specifically to read what is the Citizenship Amendment Act. Most people do not read about the Act fully and the debates that have taken place regarding it, before opposing it,” he said referring to the on-going anti-CAA protests in the country.

The Vice-President said the opposition to revoke Article 370 was also getting similar protest. “Most people don’t know that Article 370 was a temporary provision. It was revoked after 72 years, and after a thorough debate in the parliament,” he said.

“Some people are using this to create a wrong impression about India --like our neighbour who is abetting, aiding, funding terrorism…. But Kashmir is an integral part of India, and they will not get their hands on even an inch of it,” he said. “We will not allow any outside interference,” he added.

Making a strong message on those who indulge in violence, he said violence is not acceptable in a democracy, and whoever encourages violence is doing so at the cost of the nation.

Naidu also said that nearly 20% of the people in the country remain illiterate. “They are also below the poverty line facing social discrimination based on caste and gender. There have to be consistent efforts from both the government and private sector to ensure accessibility of quality and affordable education to students of downtrodden communities,” he said.