Politics

MEA Asserts CAA as India’s Internal Matter Amid US Criticism: Commentary on Misplaced Remarks

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 is an internal matter of India, and according to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the United States’ remark regarding its implementation is out of context, inaccurate, and unjustified. Following the US’s reservations regarding the Act’s notification, New Delhi reaffirmed its firm stance. “We express concern over the March 11 announcement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Matthew Miller from the State Department stated, “We are closely monitoring how this act is implemented.” According to the State Department spokesperson, “fundamental democratic principles” include respect for religious freedom and treating all communities equally under the law.

New Delhi responded to US concerns by stating unequivocally that it is indifferent to “lectures by those who have a limited understanding of India’s pluralistic traditions.” The CAA is about giving citizenship, not taking it away, and it needs to be emphasized that “persecuted minorities from the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, and Christian communities who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are given safe haven under this act. “It protects human rights, addresses the issue of statelessness, and offers human dignity,” a MEA spokesperson said.

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Minorities have nothing to fear because India’s constitution protects their right to freedom of religion, according to the MEA. “Vote bank politics should not color judgments about a wonderful initiative to help those in need. It is best to avoid attending lectures given by those who are ignorant of the post-partition history of the region and India’s varied traditions. The spokesperson stated, “Partners and well-wishers in India should welcome the intent behind this step.” Following the Center’s notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, substantial political controversy ensued, with the chief ministers of states run by parties other than the Bharatiya Janata Party pledging to counteract the act. For those who escaped religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014, this act expedites the process of giving citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jain, and Parsis.