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Now that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has been implemented to offer Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities, reactions from all over the world are pouring in. A “big win for human rights”, say Hindu organisations across the US, the UK, and Canada, hailing the announcement of the Indian government.
The move was lauded by international advocacy groups. The India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a key promise of the ruling BJP’s 2019 electoral agenda, has drawn praise for its provisions to grant citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from neighboring countries.
The Hindu Forum Canada commended the Indian government’s decision, emphasizing India’s commitment to international human rights obligations. The group expressed hope for similar measures in Pakistan and Bangladesh to promote harmony among Indian nationals.
Likewise, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) hailed the CAA as a victory for human rights, stressing its positive impact on persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. CoHNA clarified that the act does not affect existing Indian citizens of any faith but expedites citizenship for approximately 31,000 religious minorities facing persecution.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Highlighting the plight of minority communities in Pakistan, CoHNA cited instances of forced conversions and kidnappings, driving families to seek refuge in India. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the necessity of CAA to protect vulnerable refugees and uphold human rights.
Comparing the CAA to the Lautenberg Amendment in the US, HAF’s Executive Director Suhag Shukla praised both countries for extending support to persecuted individuals based on their religion.
Similarly, a London-based Hindu advocacy group praised India’s dedication to religious freedom and equality, emphasizing its secular values.
Despite widespread support, the enactment of CAA in December 2019 faced opposition from Muslim communities and political parties, alleging discrimination.
