Date 20 Dec 2019
Press Release Citizenship Amendment Act by Indian Government Hindu Council of Australia wholeheartedly supports a recent action taken by the Government of India to grant the citizenship of India to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhist, Parsi and Christians from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who migrated before 31st Dec 2014.
The reason for inclusion of these communities is due to the religious persecution they face in those countries. This action meets a long-standing demand of the minority communities from neighbouring countries who migrated to India to avoid persecution due to their religion. India has a long tradition to give shelter to people who have been persecuted due to their religious belief starting from Syrian Christians, Parsi from Iran and Jews.
The decision of the Indian Government is entirely in line with this tradition of welcoming religiously persecuted minorities. People will appreciate that this amendment will apply to only persecuted religious minorities of these countries and has no impact on the Indian Muslims as rightly said by Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid. (https://in.mashable.com/culture/9562/delhi-jama-masjids-shahi-imam-says-caa- isnt-for-indian-muslims-calls-for-calm-protests)
Indian constitution guarantees secular and democratic governance for all Indians irrespective of their race and religion. Hindu Council of Australia strongly urges the Australian community and Government to support the action of the Government of India.
HCA supports Citizenship Amendment Bill-v2
