Must be cautious of jihadists, Maoists, separatists, warns Finance Minister

Mumbai: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman warned that we need to be cautious of the Jihadi, Maoist and separatist forces in the country. Protests ongoing in certain parts of the country, against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) where some of these have even turned violent. The Finance Minister’s warning thus becomes significant. Nevertheless, Sitharaman asserted that the protests would not have any effect on the country’s economic progress.

While speaking at a function organised in Mumbai, Finance Minister Sitharaman indicated that various forces trying to destabilise the country in different ways have become active. Protests against the CAA have intensified in certain parts of the country with some protestors resorting to arson and rioting. At some places, demonstrators have attacked the police and reports of railway and metro stations being set on fire were received as well.

Given the situation, Finance Minister Sitharaman has expressed concerns stating that the Jihadi, Maoist and separatist forces were making use of the student movement. Finance Minister said that ‘It is within the rights of the students to oppose and protest. However, the national interests are being hurt under the guise of the protests so destructive forces may be behind them. We cannot ignore the country’s integrity and economic progress, and therefore the government is taking every possible decision to safeguard them,’ as she appealed to the country.