US Senator Ben Cardin Voices Concern Over Impact of CAA on Indian Muslims

A senator from the United States, Ben Cardin, has raised concerns about the Indian government’s implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

This law, passed in 2019, allows undocumented migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to seek Indian citizenship if they arrived in India before December 31, 2014, excluding Muslims.

Senator Cardin expressed worry particularly about how this law might affect India’s Muslim community, especially as it coincides with the holy month of Ramadan. He emphasised the importance of the relationship between the US and India being based on shared values, including the protection of human rights regardless of religious affiliation.

Last week, the US State Department also expressed concern about the CAA and said the fundamental principles of religious freedom and equal treatment under the law for all communities. However, India strongly rejected this criticism, stating it was “misinformed and unwarranted.”