US says concerned about CAA notification, India calls it ‘misplaced, unwarranted’

“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,” Miller said in response to a question.

#WATCH | On CAA, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “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… pic.twitter.com/cJBiDvI7JU

— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024

The Ministry of External Affairs Friday strongly defended the CAA. “The Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with India’s inclusive traditions and our long-standing commitment to human rights. The Act grants a safe haven to persecuted minorities belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who have entered India on or before 31st Dec 2014,” said MEA’s official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at a media briefing when asked about the criticism abroad.

“The CAA is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity and supports human rights,” he said.

“As regards the US State Department’s statement on the implementation of CAA, we are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted,” the MEA spokesperson said, responding to the criticism from Washington. “India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens. There are no grounds for any concern on treatment of minorities. Vote bank politics should not determine views about a laudable initiative to help those in distress,” he said.