Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) discriminates against individuals based on their religion : Pakistan

Once again, Pakistan propagates hateful rhetoric

Islamabad (Pakistan) – The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is deemed discriminatory by the Pakistani Government, labelling it as a measure of religious bias in the Hindu-majority nation. According to Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the law fosters discrimination among people based on their religion. She criticises the notion underlying the law, suggesting that it falsely portrays India as a safe haven for minorities fleeing persecution in Islamic countries. However, the editorial asserts that this portrayal is not a misconception but reflects reality. It points out the persecution faced by minorities, including Muslims, in Islamic countries such as Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

#Pakistan spews venom against #CAARules for allegedly creating discrimination based on faith.

India should firmly tell Pakistan that it has no right to interfere in India’s internal affairs.

This is akin to a thief’s outcry in reverse. Minorities in Pakistan, suffering from… pic.twitter.com/2I4WN7V5BL

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) March 15, 2024

The US expressed concerns about the notification regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act, prompting India to respond firmly

India reminded the US that it should focus on addressing its own domestic issues rather than intervening in India’s internal affairs. State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller’s statement regarding the CAA implementation was rebuffed by India, emphasising that it is not in a position to lecture others on democracy, given its history of oppressing Black and Indigenous communities for centuries.

India communicated sternly that the US should refrain from interfering in its domestic legislation

The Indian Government reaffirmed that the CAA is an internal matter and criticised the US statement as wrong and unnecessary. The Act aims to grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, and Christian minorities who arrived in India from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh before 31st December 2014. The Indian Constitution guarantees religious freedom to all citizens, ensuring that no one shall be deprived of Indian citizenship by this Act. Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reminded the US that those unaware of India’s traditions and post-Partition history should refrain from commenting on the matter.

Editorial Perspective

India should firmly assert that Pakistan has no authority to meddle in its internal affairs. This situation can be likened to a thief’s hypocritical outcry: for years, minorities in Pakistan sought refuge in India due to persecution. Now that India is granting them citizenship, Pakistan is troubled. However, Pakistan remains silent about the atrocities endured by minorities in their own country and continues to perpetrate injustices against others.