Addressing a convention in Kolkata to mark the 125th birth anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Shah said the Liaquat-Nehru Pact, signed on April 8, 1950, between then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan, was intended to safeguard the rights of minorities in both countries.

However, he said the interests and safety of minority Hindus in Pakistan and East Pakistan (later Bangladesh) were not adequately addressed.

Shah said Shyama Prasad Mukherjee studied the pact and concluded that while it safeguarded the interests of Muslims in India, it did not sufficiently protect minority Hindus in Pakistan and East Pakistan.

He added that with Mukherjee's party now in power, the CAA was enacted to grant citizenship to Hindu and other refugees who came to India after facing religious persecution in neighbouring countries.

He said all eligible refugees would be granted citizenship and that the process would be completed soon.

During his address, Shah praised West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for his performance during the first two months as the state's administrative head.

He said the Chief Minister had fulfilled his pre-election promise of taking strong action against anti-social and corrupt elements and that implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state was progressing. Shah also said those involved in corruption would be held accountable.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed the convention virtually, said Shyama Prasad Mukherjee's life inspired a mass movement and gave rise to a philosophical movement in India.

He added that Mukherjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh at a time when the Congress dominated national politics, creating the organisation despite adverse circumstances.