THE NEWS FREEDOM
NEW DELHI, MARCH 15
In response to the US expression of concern over India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted on Friday that the CAA is an internal matter of India, emphasizing that individuals with a “limited understanding of India’s pluralistic traditions” should refrain from making “misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted” comments on the legislation.
During a weekly press conference, Jaiswal remarked that lectures from those lacking comprehension of India’s pluralistic heritage and the historical context post-partition are best avoided. He urged partners and well-wishers of India to appreciate the intent behind the CAA.
“The CAA is about granting citizenship, not revoking it. It addresses the issue of statelessness, upholds human dignity, and supports human rights. Therefore, it is imperative to emphasize this point. Regarding the recent statement from the US State Department and other comments made, we consider them to be misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted,” Jaiswal stated.
Jaiswal reiterated that the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019 is an internal affair of India, aligning with the country’s inclusive ethos and its longstanding commitment to human rights.
“The act provides refuge to persecuted minorities including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014,” the MEA spokesperson highlighted.
He affirmed that the Indian Constitution guarantees religious freedom to all citizens, negating any grounds for concern or mistreatment of minorities. “Political considerations should not overshadow a commendable initiative aimed at aiding those in distress,” he added.