India staunchly rebuffed criticism of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), dismissing it as driven by "vote bank politics" rather than a genuine understanding of the initiative's noble intent to aid those in need.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, emphasized that critiques of the CAA from the United States and elsewhere should be refrained from, especially when they originate from individuals with a limited grasp of India's diverse cultural heritage and the historical context following Partition.
In a resolute statement during a press briefing, Jaiswal underscored that the CAA remains an internal affair of India and should be viewed within the framework of the nation's commitment to inclusivity and human rights. He clarified that the essence of the CAA lies in providing citizenship rather than revoking it, aimed at addressing statelessness, upholding human dignity, and safeguarding human rights.
Dismissing concerns voiced by the US State Department regarding the implementation of the CAA as unfounded and misinformed, Jaiswal reiterated that the law is aligned with India's longstanding tradition of inclusivity and respect for human rights. He emphasized that the Act extends refuge to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians, who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014.
Jaiswal urged India's partners and well-wishers to appreciate the compassionate intent behind the enactment of the CAA. Meanwhile, responding to the US State Department's expression of concern about the implementation of the CAA, India affirmed its commitment to religious freedom and equality under the law for all communities.
The Indian government, having implemented the law, stands firm in its resolve to grant citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
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