During the controversy over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a significant query: Why do Parsis and Christians qualify under the CAA while Muslims do not? The CAA’s objective is to grant citizenship to persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who migrated to India before December 31, 2014.
In an interview with the news agency ANI, Shah explained that the Act includes Parsis and Christians, not native to India, because the areas in question were historically part of a united greater India, and it’s a moral and constitutional obligation to provide refuge to those who faced religious persecution in what was once Akhand Bharat.
Shah highlighted the decline of Hindu populations in Pakistan and Bangladesh due to forced conversions and discrimination, emphasizing the need for Parliament and political parties to address this issue. He also raised concerns about the dwindling numbers of Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan, emphasizing their right to live according to their beliefs.
Regarding persecuted communities like Shia, Baloch, and Ahmadiyya Muslims, Shah stated that Muslims can still apply for citizenship under existing constitutional provisions, but the CAA specifically addresses persecuted minorities from three countries who entered India without valid documents. He assured that a solution would be found for those lacking documents, estimating that over 85 percent of them possess the necessary paperwork.