Various Muslim organisations on Tuesday condemned the enforcement of the CAA-2019, calling it a “discriminatory” legislation that “undermines the fundamental principles of equality and justice”. In a joint statement, leaders of over half-a-dozen Muslim organisations said, “We vehemently condemn the enforcement of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 just before the announcement of general elections.” The statement was signed by Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, President, Jamiatul Ulema Hind; Syed Sadatullah Husaini, President, Jamaat Islami Hind; Maulana Asghar Imam Mehdi Salafi, President, Jamiat Ahle Hadith Hind; Maulana Faisal Wali Rahmani: Ameer, Imarat-e-Sharia; Maulana Aneesur Rahman Qasmi, Vice President All India Milli Council, and other leaders of these organisations. They said that the Act introduces provisions that sabotage the principles of equality and secularism enshrined in the Indian Constitution. They added that “Article 14 of the Indian Constitution embodies the general principles of equality before the law and prohibits unreasonable discrimination between persons based on religion”. “The insertion of Clause (b) in Section 2 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, establishes biased treatment by mentioning individuals belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan, who entered the Indian territory before December 31, 2014; shall not be treated as an illegal migrant. The Act sheepishly avoids mentioning Muslims, infringing the fundamental right to equality and secularism guaranteed by the Indian Constitution by selectively granting citizenship based on religious affiliation; thus undermining the principle of equal treatment under the law,” they said, adding, “This discriminatory legislation threatens the social fabric of the country eroding the foundational principles of inclusivity and diversity.” Muslim leaders also said that the timing chosen for the implementation of the Act is also questionable and shows the evident political motive of creating a religious divide in the society for narrow-minded political interests. “We believe that citizenship should be granted based on principles of equality, irrespective of religion, caste, or creed. The Act’s provisions directly contradict these principles and threaten the secular fabric of nation,” they said.
