Rikman G Momin, the president of the Meghalaya BJP, declared on MArch 15 that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a ‘closed chapter’ for Meghalaya, given that the Sixth Schedule areas have already been exempted from its provisions.
Momin elaborated, “In the original Citizenship Act of 1955, there was no provision for exemption of Sixth Schedule areas. However, the BJP government, when amending the Act, made provisions to exempt the Sixth Schedule areas, demonstrating the party’s concern for the well-being of tribal communities.”
He further explained, “The BJP government is committed to inclusivity and consensus-building. Although the Act was passed in 2019, the government deliberated for four years before finalizing the rules.”
Expressing appreciation to the central government, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, for respecting the sentiments of tribal communities by exempting the Sixth Schedule areas from the CAA, 2019, Momin stated, “Such actions by the central government reaffirm its dedication to improving the lives of tribal communities through various governmental initiatives.”
“Now that Meghalaya is exempt from the CAA, there is no reason for continued opposition. As citizens of this great nation, we should collectively strive for its progress and prosperity,” Rikman G Momin emphasized.
Meghalaya, established as an autonomous state on April 2, 1970, and as a full-fledged state on January 21, 1972, after being carved out of Assam, falls under the Sixth Schedule provisions of the constitution. The state comprises three district councils: the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo Hills.
