New Delhi, December 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed a rally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at iconic Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. Beginning his speech with a slogan 'Vividhta Me Ekta, Bharat ki Visheshta' (unity in diversity in India's uniqueness), PM Narendra Modi hailed the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by the Parliament. PM Modi accused the Opposition of spreading lies and misinformation regarding the CAA. Why Citizenship Amendment Act+NRC Raise Fear And Concerns: A Multi-Dimensional Take.

Defending the CAA, PM Modi said that the central government gave ownership rights to 40 lakh residents of the unauthorised colonies irrespective of their faiths. "Some political parties are spreading rumours. They are misleading people and inciting them. I want to ask them, when we authorised the unauthorised colonies, did we ask anyone their religion? Did we ask which political party they support? Did we ask for documents from 1970, 1980?" PM Modi said. CAA Protests: 'Those Born Before 1987 or Whose Parents Are Born Before 1987 Are Indians', Says Government.

"When we built houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, did we ask people about their religion?" he added. Asserting that his government is committed to 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas' motto, PM Modi said that Muslims were being misled. "We have never questioned or discriminated people based on their religion. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians all were befitted by our schemes," he said.

Referring to violence that broke out during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, PM Modi condemned violent protesters and asked them to shun violence. "Few Opposition parties are going to an extreme for their own benefit. They are spreading all kinds of rumours, misleading people and stoking their emotions against citizenship law. I only have one request to them: hate Modi, but don't hate India. Target me but don't set public properties on fire," he said.

He further said that lies are being spread about detention centres, adding that there was no such structures are being built. "No Indian Muslim will be sent to the detention centre. There are no detention centres," he added. Recalling the passage of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Public Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Bill, PM Modi said that 40 lakh residents of 1,731 unauthorised colonies will get ownership rights under the legislation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 22, 2019 02:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).