CAA “Protects Islam From Being Tarnished In The Name Of Persecution”: Home Ministry’s FAQ
In what can make the relationship with India’s Muslim neighbours more difficult, a section from a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, has raised eyebrows. The particular section from the document, which was released to allay the fears of Indian Muslims, talks about the impact of the Act on the image of Islam. The document was earlier released to media and according to government’s public relation website, PIB, a link was formed on this with the headline “Positive narrative on Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019”, but not accessible now.
As in the time the Act was passed in 2019 by Indian Parliament, India is witnessing protests against the implementation notification by the government that was released on Monday evening.
The contentious CAA grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from three Muslim neighbouring countries – Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan – who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. The law, which is already facing several legal pleas in the Supreme Court, is already being called ‘divisive’, ‘discriminatory’, ‘anti-constitutional’ and ‘communal’ by Opposition leaders and activists. The law has also raised questions on the citizenship of Indian Muslims and also the Muslims coming from outside India for citizenship. Clubbed with NRC or National Register for Citizens (NRC) many fears that the CAA could become a tool to declare anyone illegal immigrants, especially the Muslims.
In this scenario, the Home Ministry (MHA) has released the document to the media to clear the air on the implications of the Act, and it carried a question which goes like “What is the impact of this Act on the image of Islam?”
The MHA document answered to this question by sayin, 2019, would protect Islam from being tarnished in the name of persecution as the Act is showing compassion and compensation to the minorities in those three Muslim countries.
“Due to the persecution of Minorities in those three Muslim countries, the name of Islam was badly tarnished all around the world. However, Islam, being a peaceful religion, never preaches or suggests hatred/violence/any persecution on religious ground. This Act showing the compassion and compensation for the persecution, protects Islam from being tarnished in the name of persecution,” it said.
MHA releases FAQ on CAA
Q) What is the impact of this Act on the image of Islam?
MHA : Due to the persecution of Minorities in those three Muslim countries, the name of Islam was badly tarnished all around the world. However, Islam, being a peaceful religion, never preaches or…— Vijaita Singh (@vijaita) March 12, 2024
After saying that the CAA does not cancel the naturalisation laws, the ministry said “any person including the Muslim migrants from any foreign country, seeking to be an Indian citizen, can apply for the same under the existing laws.”
“Muslims from anywhere in the world can seek Indian citizenship under Section 6 of the Citizenship Act, which deals with citizenship by naturalisation,” it added.
The FAQ also said the CAA “does not prevent any Muslim, who is persecuted in those Islamic countries (Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan) for practising their version of Islam, from applying for Indian citizenship under the existing laws”.
A gathering against the implementation of CAA 2019 in Delhi”s Jamia Millia Islamia which was the epicenter of 2019-2020 anti-CAA protests
The MHA asserted that the “Indian Muslims need not worry as CAA has not made any provision to impact their citizenship and has nothing to do with the present 18 crore Indian Muslims, who have equal rights like their Hindu counterparts”.
“No Indian citizen would be asked to produce any document to prove citizenship”, it added.
It said “the concern of a section of the people including Muslims and students that CAA is against Muslim minorities is unjustifiable”.
