India rejects US’ remark on CAA, says its ‘Misplaced, Unwarranted’

The government rejected the CAA remark made by the United States saying it is an interference in New Delhi's internal matters and those who have a “limited understanding of India’s pluralistic traditions” should not make “misplaced, misinformed, and unwarranted” comments on the law.

Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on Friday after the US expressed concerns over the CAA, which was notified earlier this week.

The official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir 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 well-wishers of India should welcome the intent with which this step has been taken.”

A day earlier, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller on being asked if the American government is concerned that the CAA could affect religious freedom in India, he said that US is concerned and closely monitoring this law (and) how it will be implemented.

The CAA was notified on Monday, just weeks before the upcoming general election. The Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed by Parliament in 2019 but implementation was delayed due to the pandemic.

According to the new law, non-Muslim migrants (Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Christians, Sikhs and Parsis) who are subjected to religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh will be granted Indian citizenship.

Meanwhile, the government has maintained that CAA will not take Muslims' rights. India's estimated 18 crore Muslims will have "equal rights as any other citizen", government said earlier.