The Indian government has strongly rejected “misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted” remarks by the US State Department on the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and underlined that it’s an internal affair of the country.
“The Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA) is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with India’s inclusive traditions and our long-standing commitment to human rights,” said Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson of India’s external affairs ministry in New Delhi on March 15. Setting the record straight, the spokesperson said: “The Act grants a safe haven to persecuted minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who have entered India on or before 31st Dec 2014.”
Earlier in the day, the US State Department’s spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed “concerns” about notification of the CAA, saying that the US is keeping a “close eye” on the matter. The contentious legislation has been targeted by critics and opposition parties in India for its discriminatory approach towards Muslims of the country. Home Minister Amit Shah has repeatedly clarified and assured that said the law is meant to help minorities in the neighbouring countries facing religious persecution.
India asserted that the law is about giving citizenship and not taking it away, allaying all apprehensions about minority rights. “It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity and supports human rights,” said Jaiswal. “India’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens. There are no grounds for any concern on treatment of minorities,” he added.
Author Profile
- India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.
Latest entries
In ConversationJuly 26, 2024India-Italy defence collaboration can extend to third countries: Anil Wadhwa- In ConversationJuly 23, 2024Italy views India as a key partner in Indo-Pacific: Vani Rao
- DiplomacyJune 29, 2024First BRICS unveils a roadmap for boosting tourism among emerging economies
- India and the WorldJune 11, 2024On Day 1, Jaishankar focuses on resolving standoff with China
