New Delhi: India Friday said that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) is an internal affair for the country, in accordance with its inclusive traditions and long-standing commitment to human rights. It rejected remarks made by the United States against the Act as "misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted."
On Thursday, the US stated that it is keeping a careful eye on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act's implementation and expressed worry about its notification in India.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressing a press briefing said, “As you are well aware, the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with India’s inclusive traditions and a long-standing commitment to human rights.”
“The Act grants a safe haven to persecuted minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who have entered India on or before 31st December 2014,” he said, and emphasised that the goal of the CAA is to provide citizenship, not to take it away, Indian Express reported.
Jaiswal, on the US State Department’s statement on the implementation of CAA, said, “We are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted.”
“India’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens. There are no grounds for any concern or treatment of minorities. Vote bank politics should not determine views about a laudable initiative to help those in distress.”
He went on to say that “lectures by those who have a limited understanding of India’s pluralistic traditions and the region’s post-partition history are best not attempted.”
“Partners and well-wishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken,” the MEA spokesperson added.