Indian Muslims denounce Citizenship Amendment Act as discriminatory
New Delhi: Muslim groups and leaders have raised objections to the Citizenship Amendment Act, expressing concerns about discrimination against Muslims in India.
According to the Kashmir Media Service, Muslim communities across India are opposing the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), citing fears of discrimination and marginalization. The law, coupled with the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), has sparked apprehensions among India’s more than 200 million Muslims, constituting the world’s third-largest Muslim population. There is widespread fear that the Hindutva-led BJP government might revoke the citizenship of Muslims lacking proper documentation, particularly in border states.
The CAA, passed by the BJP government in December 2019 and now enforced by the Modi government, aims to grant Indian citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. This decision follows four years of contentious debate and parliamentary approval, signifying a significant shift in India’s citizenship policies.
However, opposition figures like AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi have denounced the CAA as discriminatory, alleging that it specifically targets Muslims. Owaisi compared the ideology behind the law to that of Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, and urged people to vehemently oppose it. He emphasized the government’s obligation to justify the delayed implementation and voiced concerns about its potential impact on the Muslim community.
The passage of the CAA in Parliament ignited widespread protests across India, with many opposition parties and human rights groups condemning it as divisive and prejudiced. They accused the BJP-led government, under Narendra Modi, of mistreating Muslims, with continued attacks on Muslim communities’ homes and properties, as well as the rise of cow vigilantism targeting Muslims.
Reports suggest a surge in hate speech against Muslims, particularly from states governed by the BJP. Human rights organizations have sounded alarms about the deteriorating situation for Muslims in India, underscoring the imperative of safeguarding their rights and fostering inclusivity.
Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has openly criticized the CAA, labeling it as unconstitutional and accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of sowing discord between Hindus and Muslims. Singh questioned the timing of the law’s enactment and reiterated concerns about its discriminatory nature, stressing the constitutional right to freedom of religion.
