Naveen Patnaik Opposes NRC after backing CAB

Amid
protests against amended citizenship law engulfing Odisha, Chief Minister
Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday appealed for calm as he assured people that the
ruling party, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), will not be supporting NRC in the state.

Saying that
the party won’t be supporting NRC, Naveen Patnaik clarified that BJD backed the
amended citizenship law, noting that it applies only to foreigners.

“The
amended Citizenship Act has nothing to do with Indians. It deals only with
foreigners. The BJD MPs both in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha have made it
clear that we do not support the NRC,” Naveen Patnaik told reporters.

The chief
minister’s statement came a day after people protesting the Act took out a
peaceful rally in the state capital and urged Naveen Patnaik to make the BJD
government’s stance clear on the amended citizenship law and the National
Register of Citizens (NRC).

Protesters
of different faiths held placards against amended Citizenship Act and NRC but
did not raise slogans during a rally that started at Satyanagar Masjid and was ataacked
to end near Naveen Niwas, the chief minister’s residence.