Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a public address in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, confirmed that the process of granting Indian citizenship to refugees has started under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
“These individuals have been part of our country for a significant period,” PM Modi stated. “They are the ones who had to face the repercussions of the country’s partition based on religion.”
The Prime Minister criticized the Congress party for their indifference towards these individuals. He remarked, “Those who rise to power in the name of Mahatma Gandhi but fail to remember his teachings… Congress never showed any concern for these people, as they were not part of the Congress’s vote bank.”
This announcement is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the long-standing issue of refugees in India who have been seeking citizenship rights. The Prime Minister’s statement indicates a shift in the government’s approach towards refugees, with an emphasis on their integration into Indian society.
The CAA, which was passed in 2019, aims to provide Indian citizenship to refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. The act specifically applies to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from these countries, which led to controversy and widespread protests across the country.
The Prime Minister’s announcement is expected to have a significant impact on the refugees who have been living in India and have been awaiting recognition of their citizenship status.
