Taking exception to certain remarks by the United States regarding the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), India on Friday termed them as "misplaced, unwarranted and misinformed," and said the CAA addresses issue of statelessness, provides human dignity and supports human rights.
New Delhi also said those who do not understand India's pluralistic traditions better not attempt lecturing. This strong reaction from India came after the US said it is concerned about the notification of the CAA in India and is closely monitoring its implementation.
"The CAA is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity and supports human rights," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal here said.
Brushing aside the US remarks, he said "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, Jaiswal said.
His strong comments at a media briefing came when asked about the criticism against the CAA from Washington and various other parts of the globe.
"The CAA is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity and supports human rights," Jaiswal said, asserting that the law is an internal matter of India.
"As regards the US State Department's statement on the implementation of the CAA, we are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted," the MEA spokesperson said at his weekly media briefing.
The CAA, 2019 is in keeping with India's inclusive traditions and long-standing commitment to human rights, he added.
"The Act grants a safe haven to persecuted minorities belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014," Jaiswal said.
"Partners and well-wishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken," he said and reiterated that the CAA is an internal matter, "and is in keeping with India's inclusive traditions and long-standing commitment to human rights".
This terse message by New Delhi came hours after United States Department in Washington said it is concerned about the notification of the CAA and is closely monitoring its implementation.
"We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11," State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily briefing.
"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.
India implemented the CAA on Monday, paving the way for the grant of citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.
The Government also came out with a press statement to say Indian Muslims need not worry as the CAA will not impact their citizenship and has nothing to do with the community which enjoys equal rights as their Hindu counterparts. The Indian Government has maintained that the CAA is about granting citizenship and that no citizen of the country will lose citizenship.
