Union Home Minister Amit Shah has staunchly defended the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), affirming its permanent status in India’s legislative framework. Dismissing claims of violating constitutional provisions, Shah emphasized that the CAA stands as a protective measure for those subjected to religious persecution in neighboring countries.
Addressing concerns over the Act’s compliance with Article 14, Shah reiterated that the CAA remains within the bounds of constitutional validity. He emphasized its primary purpose: to extend refuge and citizenship rights to individuals fleeing religious persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
In a recent interview with news agency ANI, Shah condemned the opposition’s persistent “politics of lies” regarding the CAA. He emphasized that the BJP’s commitment to enacting the CAA was clearly outlined in its 2019 manifesto, and the subsequent passage through Parliament underscores its legitimacy.
“The BJP pledged to enact the CAA and grant citizenship to refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan in its 2019 manifesto. With a majority in power, the party fulfilled its promise,” Shah stated, highlighting the government’s accountability to its electoral mandate.
Shah addressed criticisms regarding the timing of implementing CAA-related rules, particularly in proximity to the Lok Sabha elections. He rebuffed claims of strategic timing, attributing delays to unforeseen circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Accusing the opposition of engaging in divisive politics for electoral gain, Shah emphasized the necessity of the CAA to safeguard persecuted individuals’ rights, irrespective of religious affiliations. He reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding constitutional principles while addressing humanitarian crises.
“The opposition’s pursuit of appeasement politics aims to consolidate their vote bank, disregarding the humanitarian imperative of the CAA,” Shah asserted, highlighting the need for a principled approach over electoral calculations.
Amidst ongoing debates surrounding the CAA’s implications, Shah’s unwavering stance reaffirms the government’s determination to uphold the rights of persecuted minorities while dismissing speculations of any threats to existing citizenship rights.
In conclusion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s unequivocal assertion underscores the CAA’s permanence within India’s legal framework, emphasizing its constitutional validity and humanitarian mandate in providing sanctuary to persecuted individuals from neighboring nations.
