Patnaik supports amended Citizenship Act, but is against NRC

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said the ruling BJD had backed the amended citizenship law as it applies only to foreigners but does not support NRC.

He also appealed to the people of Odisha to maintain peace and not fall for rumours.

Patnaik, who for the first time clarified the BJDs stand on the two contentious issues, justified his partys support to the CAA, noting it applied only to foreigners and not Indian citizens.

Odisha Chief Minister while appealing to the people to maintain peace and not fall for rumours, said "The amended Citizenship Act has nothing to do with Indians. It deals only with foreigners.

Patnaik also maintained that BJD MPs both in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have made it clear that the party do not support the National Register of Citizens.

The chief minister's statement came a day after people protesting the Act took out a peaceful rally in the state capital and urged Patnaik to make the BJD government's position clear on the amended citizenship law and the NRC.

Though there had been no major law and order problem across the state following passage of the citizenship legislation, Odisha on Tuesday witnessed agitation by Muslim community members who sought a clarification from the chief minister.

The state has over 9 lakh Muslim population according to the 2011 census.

The Muslim community members welcomed Patnaiks statement.

"The Chief Ministers statement has come as a great relief for all the Muslims living in Odisha. NRC should not be implemented in the peace loving state like Odisha," said Jamil Akhtar Khan, a member of the delegation Chauda Mahala Muslim Jamat with headquarter at Bhadrak.

BJDs Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra said: "During the discussion in Rajya Sabha on December 11, I have mentioned that our party BJD feels that this bill (CAB) has nothing to do with NRC. NRC is a different issue and needs to be discussed at lengthThis bill should not be linked to NRC. NRC is a vast subject and government must be ready to discuss it in future."
Senior BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan termed Patnaiks statement as "unfortunate."