New Delhi: The United States on Friday said it is closely monitoring how India is going to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) after having its notification published a couple of days ago.
State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller responded thus taking a press question a few hours after Home Minister Amit Shah said CAA is meant to help the minorities facing religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
Shah added that Muslims of these countries could apply for Indian citizenship under the existing laws, NDTV reported.
Since the government brought in the Act five years ago, Opposition has been questioning the exclusion of Muslims from its ambit.
When asked if the CAA will hamper religious freedom, Matthew Miller was quoted a saying: ‘We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11. We are closely monitoring this Act - how this Act will be implemented.’
‘Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles,’ he added.
The Centre on Monday issued notification for CAA reducing eligible period for applying from 11 to 5 years for migrants who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
The government also stated Indian Muslims need not worry as the CAA will not impact their citizenship.