US' concerns on CAA implementation misplaced, unwarranted: India

India on Friday asserted that the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act is an internal matter of India, and termed the comments made by the US, Pakistan, and other countries as unwarranted and misinformed.

In its weekly press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the CAA acts as a haven for non-Muslim persecuted minorities of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before 31st December 2014.

"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 safe 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 31st December 2014," Jaiswal said.

"The CAA is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship, so this must be underlined. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity, and supports human rights," he added.

In response to reactions coming in from various quarters on the CAA implementation, Jaiswal said, "As regards the US State Department's statement on the implementation of CAA, and there have been 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."

Earlier, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that it was closely monitoring how the CAA will be implemented in India.

"We are concerned about the notification of Citizenship (Amendment) Act. 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," he said.

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