The US State Department is “closely monitoring” and has expressed “concern” on the CAA announcement in India

According to a statement released by the US on Thursday, it is “concerned” about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) announcement in India and is “closely monitoring” the act’s implementation.

At his daily briefing on Thursday (local time), US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed concern to reporters on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act’s announcement on March 11.

“We are keeping a careful eye on how this act is carried out. “Fundamental democratic principles include respect for religious freedom and treating all communities equally under the law,” Miller said in answer to a query.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tried to calm people’s concerns about the CAA on Wednesday by stating that it would not violate anyone’s rights and that it was solely intended to protect the rights of oppressed minorities who had previously been a part of India.

“I have discussed the CAA in-depth on at least 41 occasions on various forums, emphasizing that minorities in the nation shouldn’t be concerned since it has no provisions that would allow any person to have their rights taken away. In an interview with ANI, the Home Minister stated that the CAA aims to end the sufferings of persecuted non-Muslim migrants, such as Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians, who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

People who meet the requirements of CAA-2019 may apply for Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. Applications must be filed entirely online using a website that the government has set up.

On March 11, the Center announced the guidelines for carrying out the Citizenship Amendment Act. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, aims to provide Indian citizenship to refugees who sought safety in India before to December 31, 2014, as a result of religious persecution of six minority populations in three neighboring countries: Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

The CAA offers refugees “who have suffered for decades” a decent existence by removing legal obstacles to citizenship and rehabilitation.