Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, distributed citizenship certificates to 188 refugees in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on August 18, 2024. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel.
In his address, Shri Amit Shah emphasized that the CAA is not only about granting citizenship to millions of refugees but also about delivering justice and restoring their rights. He pointed out that for decades, due to the appeasement policies of previous governments, refugees who sought shelter in India from 1947 to 2014 were denied justice. Shri Shah stated that these individuals had endured significant hardships, both in their countries of origin and after arriving in India. He credited Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for finally providing justice to these long-marginalized communities.
The Home Minister highlighted that the division of India in 1947 led to severe communal violence and left many Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, and Christians in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh displaced and struggling for survival. He criticized the opposition for not fulfilling their promises made during the time of partition to grant citizenship to these communities. He claimed that appeasement politics had prevented these people from receiving the citizenship they deserved, labeling this denial as a grave injustice.
Shri Amit Shah argued that while the opposition facilitated illegal immigration into India, they denied citizenship to law-abiding refugees who sought refuge in the country. He assured that under the Modi government, the CAA would rectify this wrong and ensure that refugees, particularly from Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist communities, are granted their rightful citizenship.
The Home Minister clarified that the CAA does not intend to revoke anyone’s citizenship but is designed solely to grant citizenship to persecuted refugees. He criticized those spreading misinformation about the Act and reiterated that it is aimed at addressing historical wrongs. He encouraged refugees to apply for citizenship without fear, assuring them that the process would not jeopardize their jobs, homes, or livelihoods.
Shri Shah also highlighted the alarming decline in the Hindu population in Bangladesh, from 27% at the time of partition to just 9% today. He attributed this drastic reduction to forced conversions and emphasized that India has a moral obligation to provide refuge to those fleeing such persecution.
He further mentioned that the journey from the passage of the CAA in 2019 to 2024 had been fraught with challenges, including violence and misinformation campaigns, but the government remained resolute in its commitment. He assured refugees that the law would ultimately bring justice and restore their dignity.
The Union Home Minister also lauded Prime Minister Modi’s efforts to eradicate nepotism, casteism, appeasement, and corruption over the past decade. He noted the significant milestones achieved under Modi’s leadership, including the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the restoration of religious sites like the Kashi Vishwanath temple, and the abolition of Article 370. Shri Shah urged refugees not to be swayed by opposition parties and assured them of the government’s unwavering support in implementing the CAA.
The event underscored the government’s commitment to fulfilling promises made to refugees and ensuring their integration into Indian society.
