MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal Praises CAA

BY A STAFF REPORTER: In a recent statement, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday praised the latest Citizenship Amendment Act (Rules) 2024 and stated that Vote bank politics should not determine views about a laudable initiative to help those in distress.

While addressing a presser, Jaiswal clarified that the newly implemented CAA will not take away citizenship but grant citizenship. He said "As you are well aware, the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with India's inclusive traditions and a long-standing commitment to human rights. The act grants a 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. 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. 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. India's constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens. 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 wellwishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken."

#WATCH | On CAA, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "As you are well aware, the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with India's inclusive traditions and a long-standing commitment to human rights. The act grants a safe haven to… pic.twitter.com/cJBiDvI7JU

— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act (2019). Furthermore, the newly implemented CAA will be called the 'Citizenship Amendment Act (Rules) 2024'. The Act aims to grant Indian Citizenship to the refugees and migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, Jain, and Christian communities who arrived in India before 31st December 2014 and faced persecution in their homelands.