Indian yogi and Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, while speaking to India Today at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, said about the ongoing protests in India over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Last month one of Sadhguru’s videos, in which he had supported the citizenship act, was shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sadhguru, while speaking to media, said, “No one would want to invest in a place where buses are burning on the streets”.
After the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) was passed by the parliament, the nation has witnessed several protests in many parts of the country. Protesters set buses and trains on fire, they blocked railway tracks. Protesters torched vehicles, vandalized police booths after the clash broke out between the police and protesters.
Sadhguru, who has already expressed his thoughts on CAA, told India Today News Director Rahul Kanwal that people must read the act and should not hold protest against the CAA as it has nothing to do with Indian citizens. This act is only for those who were left behind during the partition.
Sadhguru, who launched the Cauvery Calling project, asked, “Is the CAA against anybody? We are talking about minority persecution in an adjacent country. This has nothing to do with how the constitution applies to the people of India. It has got something to do with people who were left behind during the Partition…you are just trying to give those who have been living here [India] for 10-15 years without an identity an identity,” he said.
Sadhguru is reported to have said, the CAA is not allowing new people to enter the country. Those who have come to India before 2014 will be given citizenship. It is not for all religions as it will have an impact on India’s resources. “This is about religious minorities living in theocratic states. There is a certain level of persecution they face. They are already here — no one can come after 2014 but people want everyone to come. Tell me, are we short of population in this country?” he asked.
When asked about the nationwide protests against the CAA, Sadhguru said the problem arose just because of the poor communication that the government failed to deliver to people. “The government has definitely failed in its ability to communicate the idea. You are protesting because you think it is against you because someone communicated it to you like that. This law is not about Hindus or Muslims,” Sadhguru said.
While speaking to the media about the protest turned violent, he said, “Who will invest in a country where buses are burning? The buses don’t belong to the government, they belong to all of us. Why burn them?”
Sadhguru also added that the students were protesting against “local issues”. “The student protests are over different issues such as fee hike and police brutality. Those are different issues, don’t make them a national issue when they are not,” he said.
According to Sadhguru, the government needs to assure the people of India that their citizenships are not under threat. He also said that the media should also spread the truth about the CAA and not make a controversy. “People are hurt. Some people are feeling insecure. Please reassure them that their citizenship is not in danger. Whatever needs to be done has to be done to tell people about the CAA. What I practice is no one’s business. Then why should you fear about your citizenship being taken away?” he asked.
