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NATION MARCH 22, 2024 | The Indian Eye 10

CAA RULE

India reminds US about its own history as

differences emerge over citizenship move

The United States says that it is “concerned” about the notification of the Citizenship

(Amendment) Act and that it is “closely monitoring” the implementation of the act

OUR BUREAU
New Delhi

n a sign of major disagreement be-
tween India and US over the Cit-
Iizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
External Affairs Ministry has said that
it is an internal matter of India and
that those who have a “limited un-
derstanding of India’s pluralistic tra-
ditions” should not make “misplaced,
misinformed, and unwarranted” com-
ments on the legislation.
The MEA statement on Friday
came after the US expressed concerns
over the CAA, which was notified ear-
lier this week. In a press briefing on
Friday, the official spokesperson of the
Ministry of External Affairs, Rand-
hir Jaiswal said, “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 wellwish- MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal replying to media questions on the CAA issue
ers of India should welcome the intent
with which this step has been taken.” fication of the Citizenship (Amend- many parts of the world, it is as though own policies. So, if you say, you are
Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, ment) Act (CAA) in India, adding the partition of India has never hap- picking some faiths and not some oth-
2024 enable persons eligible under that it is “closely monitoring” the pened. And there were no consequen- er faiths. I will give you some other
CAA-2019 to apply for the grant of In- implementation of the act. “We are tial problems which the CAA is sup- examples of it. Have you heard the
dian citizenship and applications are closely monitoring how this act will posed to address,” he said. Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which
to be submitted in a completely online be implemented. Respect for reli- “If you take a problem, remove all is about Jews from the Soviet Union.
mode for which a web portal has been gious freedom and equal treatment the historical context from it, sanitize it You would ask why only Jews. There
provided by the government. under the law for all communities are and make it into a political correctness was the Lautenberg Amendment
“The act grants a safe haven to fundamental democratic principles,” argument and say, I have principles which is about Christians and Jews in
persecuted minorities belonging to US State Department Spokesperson, and don’t you have principles. I have 1999 Soviet Union,” he said.
Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi and Matthew Miller told reporters at his principles too and one of my princi- “There was a spectre amend-
Christian communities from Afghan- daily briefing on Thursday (local time). ples is obligation to who were let down ment, which was about a law, which
istan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who Meanwhile, External Affairs Min- at the time of partition,” he added. was about a particular ethnicity from
have entered India on or before De- ister S Jaishankar on Saturday boldly EAM firmly defended the imple- Vietnam who had a fast track to cit-
cember 31, 2014,” the MEA spokes- addressed criticism on the implemen- mentation of CAA and slammed the izenship because they had fought
person said. tation of the Citizenship Amendment critics to reevaluate their own policies alongside the Americans. There
Jaiswal said that the constitution Act (CAA) and questioned the glob- before accusing India of introducing were fast-tracking Hungarians after
of India guarantees freedom of reli- al understanding of historical events, policies on the basis of some faiths. the Hungarian revolution. Thus, fast
gion to all its citizens, and there are no adding that the government has an Jaishankar highlighted similar instanc- tracking of Cubans in the 1960s. If you
grounds for any concern or treatment obligation to the people who were let es, including the Spectre amendment were to ask me, have other countries,
of minorities. down at the time of partition. “I am for a particular ethnicity from Vietnam other democracies fast tracked on the
“Vote bank politics should not de- not questioning the imperfections or and the fast-tracking citizenship of basis of ethnicity, faiths, and social at-
termine views about a laudable initia- otherwise of their democracy or their Hungarians after the Hungarian revo- tributes,” he added.
tive to help those in distress,” he said. principles or lack of it. I am question- lution, as well as Cubans in the 1960s. The Centre notified the rules
The United States on Thursday ing their understanding of our histo- “I also have a problem when peo- for implementing the Citizenship
that it is “concerned” about the noti- ry. If you hear many comments from ple don’t hold up to mirror to their Amendment Act on March 11.

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