Expressing gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "empathetic leadership," renowned American actress-singer Mary Millben recently commended the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as a significant stride towards democracy and fostering harmony.
The Central government formally issued the regulations for the Citizenship Amendment Act, marking a pivotal moment five years after its ratification in Parliament, just preceding the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Taking to her platform 'X', Millben, a vocal admirer of PM Modi, hailed the CAA as a pivotal step towards peace and a testament to democratic values. She emphasized her stance as a devout Christian and a staunch advocate for global religious freedom, applauding the Indian government's decision to offer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, including Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Parsis from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
In her heartfelt message, the award-winning vocalist extended her appreciation to PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Indian administration for their compassionate leadership and commitment to preserving religious liberty by extending a warm welcome to those facing persecution.
Millben's noteworthy contributions to strengthening Indo-US cultural ties were also highlighted, particularly her historic performance as the first American artist invited to serve as a cultural ambassador for the US at an event commemorating India's 75th Independence Day in August 2022. Her rendition of the National Anthem during India's 74th Independence Day celebration in 2020, along with her soulful performance of the devotional hymn 'Om Jai Jagdish Hare' for Diwali the same year, garnered widespread acclaim from audiences across the United States, India, and beyond.
The Citizenship Amendment Act, a cornerstone of the BJP's electoral manifesto in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, aims to grant citizenship to individuals belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, and Parsi communities who migrated to India before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in neighboring countries. Despite facing opposition from the Muslim community and other political factions, the Act was passed by Parliament in December 2019, marking a significant milestone in India's legislative landscape.
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