The U.S. says it is “closely monitoring” CAA implementation, emphasising religious freedom; India says “lectures by those with limited understanding of India’s pluralistic traditions…are best not attempted”
The U.S. State Department’s criticism of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act is “misinformed and unwarranted”, India said on March 15, in a sharp rebuke.
In a weekly press briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs’ spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal argued in support of the inclusive provisions of the Indian constitution and dismissed any concern regarding the Act, describing it as “laudable”.
“The CAA is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity, and supports human rights. As regards the U.S. State Department’s statement on the implementation of CAA, we are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted,” Mr. Jaiswal said.
U.S. monitoring CAA implementation
“We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act on March 11,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters during his daily briefing on Thursday. “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,” Mr. Miller added.
In response, Mr. Jaiswal said: “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. Lectures by those who have a limited understanding of India’s pluralistic traditions and the region’s post-Partition history are best not attempted.”