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India very strongly has rebutted comments made by the US on CAA.

During its weekly presser on Friday, the 15th of March 2024, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said

“the US State Department’s statement on the implementation of CAA – is misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted”.

Randhir Jaiswal added that  “Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with India’s inclusive traditions and our longstanding 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 December 2014.

The CAA is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship.

So this must be underlined. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity and supports human rights.

India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens, the MEA spokesperson added

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. So that is our point on CAA to the questions that you asked.”

It may be recalled that Union Government had notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 on March 11, 2024.

The MEA also reacted on the current turmoil in Haiti.

Jaiswal added that Indian Embassy Haiti is in touch with the Indian community. And “if required we will evacuate” Indians from there.

Earlier in the day the MEA had decided to set up a 24-hour Control room to monitor the situation and provide information and assistance.