The Best Thing Modi Can Do Is Resign

Former Union minister and senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram is in a combative mood.

- Soni Mishra

Speaking exclusively to THE WEEK, Chidambaram said the Narendra Modi government had put the economy in an ICU. He alleged that the government was helping only its cronies, and that it had nothing but contempt for the poor and the middle class.

Chidambaram called the Citizenship Amendment Act religion-based discrimination, and expressed hope that it would be struck down by court. He said the government was attempting to alter the Constitution and was pushing its agenda of hindurashtra. The veteran leader, who is out on bail after spending 106 days in jail in the INX Media case, declined to answer questions regarding the time he spent in jail, but reiterated that he had emerged stronger from the experience. Excerpts from the interview:

Q/ What makes you confident that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act will be struck down by court?

A/ Article 14 is now well interpreted and has been expanded by the Supreme Court. It allows reasonable classification which has a nexus to the object, but also prohibits what is called under-inclusiveness. Birds of the same feather must flock together. You cannot leave out some birds and add strange birds. You cannot pick three neighbouring countries and leave out other neighbouring countries. You cannot pick six communities and leave out other communities.

Look at the absurdity of the situation. Hindus are included, but Sri Lankan Hindus are excluded. Christians are included, while Bhutanese Christians are excluded. The net result of the NRC-CAA exercise is that all other migrants except Muslims will cease to be illegal migrants. This is patently religion-based discrimination, which is why many of us are confident that this will be struck down.

Q/ Political motives have been attributed to the government for bringing the amendment.