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US expresses concern over India's Citizenship Amendment Act
The act aims at providing citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan
US expresses concern over India's Citizenship Amendment Act / Screengrab from official video
The United States has expressed apprehension regarding India's Citizenship (Amendment) Act, emphasizing close monitoring of its implementation. Matthew Miller, the State Department Spokesperson, conveyed the nation's concerns during a routine press briefing, highlighting the significance of religious freedom and equitable treatment under the law for all societal factions.
Miller said, “We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on Mar. 11."
“We are closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles," Miller responded to a question.
The enactment of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 by the Indian Central government on Mar. 11 has raised eyebrows, particularly due to its timing just days before the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule.
The act, aimed at providing citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who entered India before Dec. 31, 2014, has drawn international attention.
Under the provisions of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who arrived in India before the specified date and cited "religious persecution," stand eligible for citizenship. Notably, this applies to individuals belonging to six specific religious minorities: Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian.
However, the CAA has been met with widespread protests within India, with critics alleging that the act discriminates against one particular community, thereby contravening the principles of equality enshrined in India's Constitution. The contentious nature of the legislation has sparked a nationwide debate on the protection of fundamental rights and the adherence to democratic values.
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Comments
Sam Patel
2024-03-15 00:00:00
US should worry about US. Muslims are a minority in India because they got two whole countries of their own and many remained. In fact, India and Pakistan and Bangladesh should move them to their country so all three have everlasting peace. USA should also read history on how Muslims came to be in USA. They have a very similar history as Europeans of USA but could not take over like Europeans in USA. In USA history, Europeans arrived, slaughtered natives and pushed them out and kept repeating until Europeans took total control of today's USA. In Indian history, Muslims arrived, slaughtered Hindus and ruled them brutally like the Spanish in South America until the Europeans arrived and did the same until the Indians rose and took back their country along with the poisonous weeds who took over two large countries as their own. You get the picture!
Sam Patel
2024-03-15 00:00:00
This law is about giving asylum to refugees who will be abused if they are returned to their countries. Muslims who came as refugees have a process to apply for refugee status and then citizenship. Many Muslims have taken that benefit. Many Muslim citizens of the neighboring country arrived for economic reasons and must be removed. These are Indian illegals that must leave.