In a statement released on Thursday, the United States expressed its concerns regarding the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act in India and stated that it is closely monitoring the implementation of the contentious law.
"We are concerned about the notification of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act on March 11," said State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller during his daily briefing with reporters.
"We are closely monitoring how this act will be implemented. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities are fundamental democratic principles," Miller added.
The Biden administration's statement came against the backdrop of Hindu American groups welcoming the rollout of CAA.
Amid protests by opposition parties, the government issued a press statement stating that Indian Muslims need not worry as the CAA will not affect their citizenship status and assured that it has no bearing on the community, which enjoys equal rights as their Hindu counterparts.
The BJP-led central government has consistently maintained that the CAA is primarily aimed at granting citizenship and reassured that no citizen of the country will lose their citizenship as a result of this legislation.
Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, “Evidently, the legislation and relevant rules are discriminatory in nature as they differentiate amongst people on the basis of their faith.”
“We believe that Indian authorities will be well advised to stop pre-choreographed targeting and systematic marginalisation of minorities inside India,” Baloch said.
