Thread by @Aakar__Patel

What happened at the EU Parliament last night:
A motion was tabled that "deeply regrets the adoption and implementation of the CAA, which is discriminatory in nature and dangerously divisive" and condemns violence against protestors and calls for police restraint.
1/15

- The MPs then decided to push a vote on this for end of March. Between now and then EU will meet Modi at summit where this will be raised. The SC will also hear CAA at its next hearing before that day, giving more clarity on whether it is constitutional.
2/15

India's response, as earlier tweets from TOI, IE show, portrays this as greatest diplomatic triumph since the Congress of Vienna. Question is: 1) what does EU want and 2) has it now stopped wanting that? Answer: 1) It wants CAA scrapped or made non-discriminatory 2) No.
3/15

To understand what happened we need to figure out what lens to see the events through. MEA reporters tend to walk in lock-step with the state. They think in terms of "national interest" and "sovereignty" and so on. Our lens is different.
4/15

Our opponent and adversary is the Modi government's discriminatory law. The EU is an ally. We don't really care whether or not India sits with P5 (boo hoo if it doesn't). We will see developments through this lens and determine whether last night was a good night.
5/15

What happened in EU Parliament on Wed was that a joint resolution was tabled condemning CAA. Joint means that there is 'agreed' text behind which there is a large group. This is not boilerplate text: the group is invested in its meaning.
6/15

EU has strong dislike for ethno-religious nationalism like Hindutva, based on their 20th century experience. Indeed, EU was formed to end aggressive nationalism of Hindutva sort in Europe. Most MEPs will look on Modi and BJP with distaste.
7/15

Desi groups engaged with MEPs, got strong language written up condemning CAA. EU resolution says:
- "having regard to statement by UN experts of 3 July 2019 on risk of statelessness for millions and instability in Assam."
- "Having regard for Indian constitution."
8/15

- "CAA expedites citizenship but does not extend protection to Muslims, excludes Lanka Tamils, excludes Ahmedis, Rohingyas (it names Amnesty here, yay), Hazaras, Bihari Muslims in B'desh"
- "CAA controversial in light of Art 14, 15 of Ind Const"
9/15

- "SC is hearing it and several states have said will not implement.
- "Brutal crackdown on Univ campus, 25 killed, protestors beaten, shot, tortured.
- "Assam 1.9 million outside NRC stateless, detention camps, will exacerbate xenophobia"
10/15

- "Modi increased crackdown on freedom of exp, right to peaceful assembly, use of sedition against vocal critics (EU names people incl Sadaf Jafar, Akhil Gogoi)
- Deeply regrets CAA, which is discriminatory, dangerously divisive. Asks Modi govt to engage with protestors"
11/15

- "warns against increasing nationalism which has resulted in fuelling religious intolerance, discrimination against Muslims
- Condemns violence against protestors, condemns internet shutdowns
- Notes SC gave Govt 40 days to respond"
12/15

- "Calls Modi govt to engage UN HR council
- Instructs forwarding this resolution to President of India, Government of India, the Indian Parliament and the Governments of the States of India."
13/15

EU resolution is a picture of clarity. It has no errors, gives Modi no wriggle room and nails CAA to the cross. The pushing of the vote adds pressure on Modi. He will have to report back to EU in six weeks on what he's done to assuage their (our) concern.
14/15

Jaishankar bleating that this is internal matter (as the MEA hacks are pushing) means zero. This is not an internal matter any longer. Modi has internationalised the violation of human rights in India, given EU a say in them and that is good for all of us.
15/15