President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday hailed the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act as .
“historic” in his address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament, prompting protests by some opposition members.
He also said that debate and discussion on any issue strengthens democracy while violence during protests weaken it.
“The Citizenship Amendment Act is a historic law. It has fulfilled wishes of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi,” he said.
As soon as the president made these remarks, some opposition members shouted “shame, shame” slogans and also displayed banners.
Kovind also made it clear that the procedure to grant citizenship to people of all religions and those who have faith in India and keen to take Indian citizenship remains as it was.
“Debate and discussions strengthen democracy but violence during protests weaken democracy,” he said without directly referring to the anti-CAA protests in the country some of which have witnessed violence.