00:00 We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act on March 11.
00:03 We are closely monitoring this act, how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom
00:09 and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles.
00:13 So let me first come to the CA part. As you are well aware, the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019
00:26 is an internal matter of India and is in keeping with India's inclusive traditions and a long-standing
00:35 commitment to human rights. The Act grants a safe haven to persecuted minorities
00:41 belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan,
00:49 Pakistan and Bangladesh who have entered India on or before 31st December 2014. The CA is about
00:58 giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship. So this must be underlined.
01:04 It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity and supports human rights.
01:13 As regards the US State Department's statement on the implementation of CA,
01:19 we are of the view that it is misplaced, misinformed and unwarranted.
01:26 India's constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all its citizens.
01:31 There are no grounds for any concern or treatment of minorities. Vote bank politics should not
01:38 determine views about a laudable initiative to help those in distress. Lectures by those who
01:46 have a limited understanding of India's pluralistic traditions and the region's post-partition history
01:53 are best not attempted. Partners and well-wishers of India should welcome the intent with which
02:00 this step has been taken. So that is our point on CA to the questions that you asked.
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