The government, on Friday, rebuffed criticism of the Citizenship Amendment Act by the US and others, saying it is an internal matter of India and "lectures" against it is "misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted."
Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said CAA is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with the country's inclusive traditions and 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," he said, and clarified that the act is about giving citizenship and not taking it away.
It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity, and supports human rights, he noted.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller had said on Thursday that the US is concerned about the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act and is 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 had said.
Directly addressing this statement, 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.”
He said India's Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens, and 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 well-wishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken."
