US Senator Ben Cardin has expressed concern over the Indian government notifying rules for implementing the CAA. He said that as the US-India relationship deepens, it is important that cooperation is based on shared values of protecting the human rights of all, regardless of religion.
India implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 last week, paving the way for granting citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
The government also released a press statement saying that 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 Hindus.
"I am deeply concerned by the Indian government's decision to notify its controversial Citizenship Amendment Act, particularly the law's potential ramifications on India's Muslim community. Making matters worse is the fact that it is being pushed during the holy month of Ramadan," Senator Ben Cardin, chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.
"As the US-India relationship deepens, it is critically important that our cooperation is based on our shared values of protecting the human rights of all persons, regardless of religion," he said.
Last week, the US State Department expressed concern over the notifying of the CAA. It said that respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles.
India sharply rebuked the US State Department for criticising the CAA and said it is "misinformed and unwarranted." In separate statements, the Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective (HinduPACT) and the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation supported the CAA.
The legislation provides expedited citizenship to persecuted Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, and Parsi minorities from India's neighbouring countries. They said it underscores India's dedication to safeguarding individuals and families against religious persecution.
"The CAA does not impact any citizen of India. The characterisation of this law as being non-secular is unfounded. Hindu minority is discriminated against and decimated in India's neighbourhood. As Britons, we are disappointed that instead of standing for British values and the human rights of the persecuted, our government has chosen to oppose this humanitarian effort," said Ajay Shah, founder and co-convenor of HinduPACT.
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