Singh tweeted, “Recent developments in our volatile neighbourhood and the way Sikhs and Hindus are going through a harrowing time are precisely why it was necessary to enact the Citizenship Amendment Act.”
The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has triggered an exodus, especially of foreigners, religious and sectarian minorities. The insurgents, during their 1996-2001 rule of the country were notorious for abuse and persecution of Afghanistan’s minorities.
A few hundred Indians, including many Hindus and Sikhs, have been evacuated from Afghanistan since the current turmoil began.
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The CAA allows persecuted minorities belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi, and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to avail of Indian citizenship.
According to the provisions of the act, people belonging to these communities who arrived in India till December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in these three countries will not be treated as illegal migrants but will be provided with Indian citizenship.
President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the legislation on December 12, 2019.
(With agency inputs)