Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday wrote to his counterparts in 11 states on the need to “protect” secularism and democracy, days after the Assembly in the southern state passed a resolution demanding the withdrawal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

In a letter to the chief ministers, including Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal, Vijayan said: “Apprehensions have arisen among large sections of our society consequent to the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019.

“The need of the hour is unity among all Indians who wish to protect and preserve our cherished values of democracy and secularism.”

Vijayan continued: “People from various cross sections of the society irrespective of any difference they might have, need to stand united in preserving the basic tenets of our polity that form the cornerstone of Indian democracy.

“We are sure that our unity in diversity, which has stood the test of time, will ultimately emerge stronger.”

Vijayan informed the chief ministers that Kerala had “decided to address the apprehensions” about the National Register of Citizens and that the National Population Register could be a precursor to the NRC by stalling all activities related to the NPR.

Pointing to the Kerala Assembly resolution against the citizenship law, he wrote: “States which have the opinion that the CAA should be repealed can also consider similar steps so that it will be an eye-opener to the proponents of the CAA and the NRC.”

The ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front and the Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front united in supporting the resolution. The sole vote against the resolution was cast by the lone BJP lawmaker, O. Rajagopal.