National Desk, 14th March: Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that Muslims are eligible to apply for Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Addressing concerns regarding the CAA notification and its provisions, Shah emphasized that the doors to citizenship have not been closed for anyone. He assured persecuted refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan that they will receive equal rights and citizenship under the rules of the CAA.
In an interview with ANI, Home Minister Amit Shah assured all individuals, regardless of their religious affiliation, to have faith in the Narendra Modi government’s commitment to granting citizenship to eligible applicants under the CAA. He debunked misconceptions surrounding the law and clarified that there is no provision in the CAA to revoke anyone’s citizenship. Shah emphasized that those granted citizenship under the CAA would enjoy all rights bestowed upon Indian citizens, including the ability to participate in elections and hold public office.
Highlighting the humanitarian aspect of the CAA, Amit Shah underscored the law’s intention to provide relief to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. He reiterated the government’s moral obligation to safeguard the rights of those who faced persecution and emphasized the historical context of the law, rooted in addressing the aftermath of partition and providing refuge to minorities facing oppression.
Amit Shah criticized opposition leaders, including Asaddudin Owaisi and Mamata Banerjee, for mischaracterizing the CAA as anti-Muslim. He emphasized that the law aims to address the plight of persecuted minorities who sought refuge in India following partition. Shah condemned the politicization of the issue and reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding the rights of persecuted communities.
On March 11, the Union Home Ministry notified rules for the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), passed by Parliament in 2019. The CAA aims to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from neighboring countries who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. Through the implementation of these rules, the government seeks to provide a pathway to citizenship for eligible applicants, irrespective of their religious background.
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