Government Clarifies Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) Does Not Affect Indian Muslims’ Rights

The Indian government has reiterated its stance on the recently-implemented Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), emphasizing that the law does not infringe upon the freedom and opportunities of Indian Muslims. Amidst criticism from the opposition, which deems the move discriminatory, the government asserts that there is no restriction on Muslims, anywhere in the world, seeking Indian citizenship.

Key Points:

1. Freedom for Indian Muslims: The Ministry of Home Affairs, led by Amit Shah, assured that the CAA does not curtail the rights of Indian Muslims. It stated that Muslims from any part of the world can apply for Indian citizenship under Section 6 of the Citizenship Act, dealing with citizenship by naturalization.
2. Reduced Qualification Period: Recently, the Centre notified the rules for the CAA, reducing the qualification period for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to apply for Indian citizenship from 11 to 5 years.
3. Equal Rights for Indian Muslims: The government seeks to allay fears among Indian Muslims, assuring them that the CAA does not impact their citizenship. It emphasizes that the Act aims to help minorities facing persecution in specific countries.
4. Protests and Concerns: Protests have erupted in various parts of the country against the CAA, with some fearing it could lead to the declaration of illegal immigrant status. The government denies this, emphasizing the law’s humanitarian perspective to aid refugees facing religious persecution.
5. Documentation and Deportation: The government clarified that no Indian citizen would be required to produce any document to prove citizenship. Additionally, it highlighted that the Citizenship Act does not deal with the deportation of illegal immigrants, addressing concerns raised by a section of the population.
6. Compassion and Compensation: The government stated that the CAA aims to show compassion and provide compensation for the persecution faced by minorities in certain countries. It argues that the law protects the image of Islam from being tarnished in the name of persecution.
7. Need for Customization: The Ministry of Home Affairs explained the necessity for the CAA, citing the need to customize the citizenship system to control illegal migration. The law allows the government to grant citizenship from a humanitarian perspective to refugees facing religious persecution.

The CAA, which has been implemented four years after its passage, has faced delays attributed to the pandemic, according to the ruling BJP. The government’s clarification seeks to address concerns and provide a comprehensive understanding of the law’s objectives.

Also read: https://newseense.com/all-india-muslim-jamaat-president-welcomes-caa-implementation-dispels-misunderstandings/

• BJP President JP Nadda Issues Notice to Dilip Ghosh Over Controversial Remarks on Mamata Banerjee
• Ram Charan and Kiara Advani’s ‘Jaragandi’ Song from Game Changer Released
• Pre-Match Banter: Rohit Sharma’s Flying Kiss Recreation Adds Spice to MI vs SRH Clash
• Swami Smaranananda Maharaj, President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Passes Away at 95
• Stand-up Comedian Munawar Faruqui Breaks Silence on Social Media After Mumbai Police Detention