the community

(Amendment) Act, is reflected in divisions within Australia’s Indian community

The Case For Caa

By Yadu Singh

CAA is a noble move by India because it helps religiously persecuted people from minority religions in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Contrary to the reassurances at the time of Partition, the persecution of religious minorities is rampant in these countries, forcing some of them to flee to India as refugees and live there in limbo. The CAA has given them a right to live with dignity, which is laudable. Contrary to rampant misinformation, CAA doesn’t affect any current Indian citizen. The violent protests and destruction of public property cannot be justified. Persecution of religious minorities in these countries is morally reprehensible and must be called out by everybody. Helping them is a positive action and will enhance the image of India if misinformation, orchestrated by the Opposition and biased media, is countered with facts. CAA will throw spotlight on undeniable and rampant religious persecution and the sad plight of minorities in India’s neighbourhood. The true picture must be seen by the world. CAA will help in countering fake narratives against India, a truly secular nation, which treats minorities fairly and equally. NPR/ NRC are essential instruments which allow India to know who lives within its territory, and for effective governance. Opposing them is sheer politics at the cost of India’s interests and a mechanism for vote bank politics.

Be Proud Of A Secular India

Detractors

In Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD, those protesting against the CAA gathered to vent their disappointment on the introduction of religion-based citizenship in India. Nandita Sunija, a journalist and a new migrant, spoke to the crowds, saying “In India, hate has been legitimised: I did not want my daughter to be growing up in that type of society. India has been a vehicle of hope in the sub-continent, surrounded by other countries which we were glad not to (be like). We do not want India going down that route, we want India to move forward. Yet this Indian government wants to take us back 70 years.”

She added, “The moment you bring religion in the discussion of who your citizens are, you have lost it – any argument after that is without basis.”

Abbas Raza Alvi, president of the Indian Crescent Society of Australia, also spoke at the rally. “We are here because we love India though those who do not agree with us will call us anti-national. (The need of the hour) is that India address our issues of unemployment and the falling growth of our GDP rather than any agenda of division in the community due to religion.”

He urged all present to lobby their local politicians and show them their dissatisfaction at the Indian government’s move.

By Abbas Razza Alvi

The Bill violates Article 14 of the Constitution, “Right to Equality”. Article 14 guarantees equality to all persons including citizens, corporations and foreigners. "The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India”.

Why does this law exclude Ahmadiyas and Sufis from Pakistan or the Tamils from Sri Lanka? And what about Rohingas?

The new law is discriminatory as it singles out Muslims who constitute nearly 18-20 per cent of the country's population, Muslims who have been part of the secular fabric of India since its inception.

India, a country where at least 100 million make income less than AUS $2/ day, is investing AUS $ 800 million plus for NRC. We need more investment in education, health, infrastructure, transport, welfare rather than creating religious divides.

The Partition of 1947 has not given anything to the Indian subcontinent apart from painful memories and big spending on defence and securities. There are recorded versions of speeches of a number of present leaders, widely promoted and supported on social media. “Muslims should live in India as the government wants them to live. Otherwise, Muslims should leave India”. We do not need another Partition among Indians. Let us live like the proud secular Indians we are.