Vibodh Gupta
“I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all the nations of the earth”- Swami Vivekanand( In his lecture at Chicago)
In recent times, debates and discussions have encircled the citizenship amendment act which grants Indian citizenship to minorities- Hindus, Jains,Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who have come till December 31, 2014. The law further cuts down span of residency from existing 11 years to 5 years for minorities belonging to the three countries. It was passed by parliament on 11 December, 2019.
The act has received support from different quarters including academicians, scholars, students etc. from around the country. The historic decision may be regarded as India’s first step towards delivering justice to the forgotten minorities. Minorities who first suffered partition and then religious persecution in the fanatic Islamic states of Pakistan and Bangladesh. The same act is also welcomed as the reflection of India’s civilizational ethos.
The tale of Jogendra Nath Mandal
Jogendra Nath Mandal, the first law and Labour Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan witnessed religious discrimination soon after the creation of the country. He sided with the Muslim League during the partition, later came back to India after experiencing anti-minority and communal designs of the Islamic State of Pakistan. He belonged to Dalit community of Hinduism who was promised a dignified life in Pakistan but soon fell prey to the communal politics of the country and was targeted for being Non-Muslim.
The ill-treatment to Dalit leader Jogendra Nath Mandal was a stern warning to the Hindus and other minorities that the Islamic State of Pakistan would no longer entertain the interests of Non-Muslim as they make no difference.
Since the inception of Pakistan and Bangladesh, there have been similar cases of religious discrimination and prosecution against the minorities. It is against this backdrop that it becomes more important to have an inclusive law like this for providing a safe haven for those who have chosen dignified life over forced conversion and vigorous oppression. Even to this day, such religious discrimination has continued to affect the lives of these minorities.
Pakistan ace pacer Shoaibh Akhtar made some shocking revelations during a show ‘Game on Hai’ aired on PTV Sports on the miserable condition of minorities in his country. He claimed that his teammate bowler Danish Kaneria, one of the only two Hindu cricketers who ever played for Pakistan, faced discrimination at the hands of a Pakistani cricketers, who were unwilling to even eat with him because he is a Hindu. The same was later confirmed by Kaneria as well.
Citizenship amendment act has a history which has evolved to take this shape. There is a special relationship between India and these minorities which is even espoused by Congress leaders like Pt. Nehru. This obligated him to enter into a pact only with Liaquat Ali and not with the entire world, seeking a guarantee that the minority community throughout his country wouldn’t be discriminated or expelled to enjoy any right as enjoyed by the majority religion.
On the role of the Indian Government to safeguard these minorities, Gandhi said, “To secure justice for the Hindus and Sikhs was the function of the Government.” (Delhi Diary, M. K. Gandhi, 26-9-1947, Page 39)
It is also worthy to note that the act satisfactorily addresses the concern of north-eastern states. It says, “Nothing in this section shall apply to tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram or Tripura as included in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution and the area covered under the ‘Inner Line Permit’ notified under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.”
This act is the perfect manifestation of India’s teaching of inclusiveness and none has been excluded. It does not in any way prevent Ahmadis, Hazaras, Baloch or any other community or religion, from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, seeking citizenship through the regular process. In light of this, it is expected from every section of the country to understand the facts and gravity of the act and refuse to fall into the web of violence, communalism and vendetta politics.
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Follow our WhatsApp channel