‘Big victory’: US-based Coalition of Hindus of North America welcomes CAA notification
Curated by, Shankyanil Sarkar
Last updated: March 12, 2024, 12:09 IST
Washington DC, United States of America (USA)
US-based advocacy group CoHNA thanked the government for implementing the CAA. (Image: PTI file)
The group said it also ran an advocacy campaign in 2020 to educate American and Canadian citizens about the CAA.
US-based advocacy group, Coalition of Hindus of North America (COHNA) on Monday (local time) said the decision to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India is a ‘major victory’ for persecuted religious minorities. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan after formal notification from the government.
a big win for #human right for persecuted religious people #Minority Of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. India has finally notified the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which was passed by the Indian Parliament in 2019! a reminder – #CAA There will be no impact on existing Indian citizens… pic.twitter.com/QcebYMGH3
– CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) 11 March 2024
“A major human rights victory for the persecuted religious minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. India finally notified the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which was passed by the Indian Parliament in 2019,” the US-based advocacy group said.
“A reminder – CAA will have no impact on existing Indian citizens of any religion. It fast-tracks the Indian citizenship process for approximately 31,000 religious minorities who fled Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan due to extreme and systemic persecution,” COHNA said.
CoHNA also pointed out that the rules will not affect existing Indian citizens of any religion and will speed up the Indian citizenship process for religious minorities fleeing Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
It also said it had organized an education and advocacy campaign on the CAA in 2020 to counter the ‘fake propaganda’ being circulated on the issue. Eight cities of America passed resolutions against it.
The group also urged US and Canadian residents to educate themselves about the CAA’s rules. “To stop the spread of misinformation, we urge US and Canadian residents to educate themselves and those around them. Our CAA page provides comprehensive resources,” it reiterated.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday notified the rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019).
The Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, will allow people eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for Indian citizenship.
These rules were introduced by the Narendra Modi government and were aimed at providing Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim immigrants who came from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014.
Applications for citizenship will be submitted online through a dedicated web portal provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
According to the Home Ministry report for 2021-22, from April 1 to December 31, 2021, 1,414 individuals from non-Muslim minority communities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan acquired Indian citizenship through registration or naturalization under the Citizenship Act, 1955. Was provided. ,
The Citizenship Act of 1955 allows non-Muslim minorities from these countries to obtain Indian citizenship through registration or naturalization in nine states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Maharashtra.
