CPM, Cong in Kerala to jointly protest against CAA on Monday

In a show of unity against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, traditional political rivals in Kerala - the ruling CPM-led Left and the Congress-led UDF - will stage a joint protest here on Monday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

Vijayan quickly responded to the request put up by Leader of Opposition and Congress veteran Ramesh Chennithala, earlier in the day that it would be much better if they can organise a joint protest.

In a statement issued here, Vijayan said the joint protest would take place at the Martyrs Column, here and would begin at 10 a.m. and all his cabinet colleagues, leaders from the Left, besides the Congress-led UDF would take part.

"The protest is to demand that the anti-Constitutional CAA be cancelled and to see that the Constitution is protected. The CAA will only help to divide our country and the secular fabric of our country will be in danger," said Vijayan.

The new citizenship law cleared by the two Houses of Parliament, and signed by the President, is now known as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

Earlier speaking to the media here, Chennithala said he will implead in the petition in the Supreme Court against the Act besides holding talks with all other parties over the CAA.

"I am speaking to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to say that there should be a joint fight in this against the BJP-led NDA who are pursuing the RSS agenda of dividing the nation. Likewise, I will speak with all political parties so that Kerala can jointly take on this," said Chennithala.

Vijayan has already made his intent clear on Thursday when he said "come what may, it (CAA) is not going to see the light of day in Kerala".

The ruling Left Democratic Front is also meeting soon to decide on what sort of protest should be held against the CAA.

Of the 33 million Kerala population, Muslims account for around 20 per cent and Christians around 18 per cent of the state's inhabitants.IANS