Citizenship Amendment Act: India’s stern response to US over remarks on CAA implementation

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal heavily criticized the United States’ remarks on the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) during a Press Conference in Delhi on March 15, describing it as “misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted”. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal 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 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 December 31, 2014. The CAA is about giving citizenship, not taking away citizenship, so this must be underlined. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity, and supports human rights. As regards the US State Department`s statement on the implementation of CAA and the comments made by several others, 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. 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 wellwishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken.”