Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, MK Stalin, has voiced strong criticism against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), labeling it as a mechanism for legitimizing Islamophobia under the BJP government. He called for collective action to dismantle the “communal fascism” that he claims is threatening India’s secular ethos.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Stalin articulated his concerns via a message on the social media platform X. He accused the BJP government, in power since 2014, of eroding India’s secular principles and fostering an environment of intolerance and discrimination against Muslims. “Their implementation of unconstitutional acts like CAA only serves to legitimise Islamophobia,” Stalin stated.

The leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) also made a rallying call for unity against the BJP’s policies, urging a concerted effort to “crush the communal fascism of the BJP regime and rescue India’s diverse spirit from their grip.” Accompanying his message was a collage of news reports highlighting instances of hate speeches by BJP and Hindutva leaders, mob lynchings targeting Muslims, and the arrest of Muslim activists on questionable grounds.

Stalin’s comments underscore the deep divisions and contentious debate surrounding the CAA and its implications for India’s secular fabric. His call to action reflects the ongoing struggle between different visions for India’s future and the place of religious and ethnic minorities within it.