India implemented a citizenship law that excludes Muslim immigrants.
Critics argue that the law is further evidence that the Modi government is trying to reshape secular India into a Hindu state and marginalize Muslims.
The amendment to the Indian Citizenship Act provides a fast-track process for the citizenship of Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Christians who fled to India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before December 31, 2014.This law excludes Muslims, who are the majority in all three countries.
The amendment also amends the old law that illegal immigrants could not get Indian citizenship.
But the Modi government has rejected arguments that the law is discriminatory. The government says the law will not be used against people who were previously citizens of India, nor will it affect the citizenship of Muslims born in India, but rather that the law will protect religious minorities who are fleeing persecution, persecution and torture. they do.
The Indian government has said that eligible candidates can apply for Indian citizenship online.
The implementation of the law is one of the main campaign promises of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of general elections due in May.
The law was passed by Parliament in 2019 and sparked controversy when the Modi government suspended its implementation after deadly protests against it.
Protesters from all faiths said the law undermines India’s foundation as a secular state.
Muslims were particularly concerned that the government could use the law to marginalize them.
Meanwhile, an Indian human rights group said on Monday that the law “legitimizes discrimination on the basis of religion.
“The US also expressed concern and said it would closely monitor India’s implementation of the law. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a daily meeting with reporters on Thursday that “respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all societies are fundamental democratic principles.
“But India’s foreign ministry said on Friday (March 15) that these statements were “misplaced, misinformed and baseless”.
India has a large minority group of 200 million Muslims, in a population of over 1.4 billion. They live in almost all parts of India and have been the target of numerous attacks since Modi came to power in 2014, according to the Associated Press.
