The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is being criticism both domestically and internationally. Meanwhile, S Jaishankar, the Foreign Minister, made a noteworthy announcement. He stated it’s important to think about this in the context of division. It was underlined that there are numerous cases of countries having accelerated citizenship. This was stated by Jaishankar during a Saturday talk at the India Today Conclave 2024.
Both the United States and other nations have criticized the Citizenship Amendment Act. Meanwhile, a noteworthy announcement was made by Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. He stated that it is imperative to take this into account within the context of division. The statement that there are “many examples” of nations with fast-track citizenship was highlighted.
During an interaction with a private TV channel on Saturday, Jaishankar responded to questions on an Indian national facing charges of plotting to kill a Khalistani separatist on US soil and US Ambassador Eric Garcetti’s comments a day earlier.
Answered the criticism regarding CAA
Jaishankar said, ‘You are giving many examples of India and Canada, American politics has not given the kind of space to violent extremist ideas and activities that Canada has given. So, I don’t think it’s fair for America to put them together. Jaishankar said that I will differentiate between the two.
Jaishankar also addressed the criticism that CAA has received from Washington and other international locations. Actually, the US stated on Thursday that it is closely following the CAA’s implementation and is concerned about its notice in India.
I’m not sure how well they comprehend our past
To this Jaishankar replied that ‘I am not questioning the flaws of his democracy or his principles. I am questioning his understanding of our history. If you listen to comments from many parts of the world, it seems as if the partition of India had never happened, there were no consequential problems that the CAA should address.
While replying to the criticism on CAA, Jaishankar also gave several examples to make his point. He said he has a problem when people don’t look at their policies. He cited the Jackson-Vannik Amendment, which was about the Soviet Union’s fast-tracking of Jews, the Lautenberg Amendment, the Specter Amendment, and Hungarians. He said that if you ask me whether other countries, other democracies progress rapidly on the basis of ethnicity, faith, social characteristics, I can give you many examples.
The country’s leadership had promised these minorities
Referring to the partition of 1947, he said that the leadership of this country had promised these minorities that if you have any problem, you are welcome to come to India. After this the leadership did not fulfill its promise. He said that this is not just our problem. If you look at Europe, many European countries have worked quickly to grant citizenship to people who left during the World Wars or in some cases long before the World Wars. Some historical issues that were not taken into account. I have a moral responsibility towards that community.
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