US Senator expresses “deep concern” over how the CAA may affect Muslims in India

A powerful US lawmaker expressed concern about the Indian government’s release of guidelines for enforcing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), emphasizing that collaboration between Washington and New Delhi must be based on common principles of protecting human rights regardless of religion.

“I am really worried about the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act that the Indian government has decided to announce, especially considering the possible effects the bill may have on the Muslim minority in India. The fact that it is being pushed during the holy month of Ramadan is making things worse,” said Senator Ben Cardin, the influential head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“As the US-India relationship deepens, it is critically important that our cooperation is based on our shared values of protecting the human rights of all persons, regardless of religion,” he said.

The legislator’s comments align with the support of Hindu American organizations for the implementation of CAA.

The US State Department expressed concerns last week on the CAA notice. The Biden administration will be carefully monitoring the controversial law’s implementation, according to spokesman Matthew Miller.

Miller had said that “equal treatment under the law for all communities and respect for religious freedom are fundamental democratic principles.”

India quickly criticized the US State Department’s assessment of the CAA, calling it “misinformed and unwarranted.”

Last week, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which was put into effect by the Center, made it easier for illegal non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014, to become citizens.

Furthermore, the government released a press release claiming that Indian Muslims need not be alarmed since the CAA has no bearing on their citizenship and has no connection to the group, which has the same rights as Hindus.