In a recent development, Bharat’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly rebuffed concerns raised by the United States regarding the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a press briefing, dismissed the White House’s statement as “misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted”, emphasizing that the CAA is an internal matter for Bharat.
Jaiswal highlighted that the CAA is aligned with Bharat’s inclusive traditions and its commitment to human rights. The Act provides a pathway to citizenship for persecuted minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who entered Bharat before December 31, 2014. He emphasized that the CAA is aimed at granting citizenship, not revoking it, and addresses the issue of statelessness while upholding human dignity and rights.
#WATCH | On CAA, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "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… pic.twitter.com/cJBiDvI7JU
— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024
The MEA spokesperson dismissed concerns expressed by the US State Department, stating that there is no basis for the United States to be apprehensive about the CAA. He urged Bharat’s partners and well-wishers to appreciate the intent behind the Act and cautioned against allowing political considerations to overshadow its humanitarian objectives. Jaiswal also cautioned against lectures from those with limited understanding of Bharat’s pluralistic traditions and post-partition history.
On the other hand, the United States, through its State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, reiterated its concerns over the notification of the CAA on March 11. Miller emphasized the importance of religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities, stressing these as fundamental democratic principles.
The CAA, implemented by the Bharatiya government, aims to grant citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in Bharat before December 31, 2014. Throughout the implementation process, the Bharatiya government has consistently maintained that the CAA is about granting citizenship and reassured that no citizen of the country will lose their citizenship under this law.
The exchange between Bharat and the United States underscores differing perspectives on the CAA and its implications. While Bharat asserts the Act’s alignment with its constitutional values and humanitarian objectives, the US expresses concerns regarding religious freedom and equal treatment under the law. As the situation unfolds, both countries continue to monitor the implementation and implications of the Citizenship Amendment Act.
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