TEHRAN (FNA)- Jahangir Mohammed, Muslims rights activist, says the amendment to the Citizenship Act in India is an overt act of discrimination against Muslims, aiming to further marginalization of the Muslim community.
In an exclusive interview with FNA, Jahangir Mohammed said, “It is the first time religion has been used as a criterion for citizenship in refugee policy […] This means it will bring in more Hindus to settle in India, maybe even in Kashmir and exclude Muslims.”
Jahangir Mohammed is the director of the UK-based Center for Muslims Affairs. He has been active in defending Muslims rights around the world. He has extensively written on Muslims’ affairs and violation of their rights.
Below is the full text of the interview.
Q: Why has the amendment to the Citizenship Act in India caused so much controversy?
A: It is the first time religion has been used as a criterion for citizenship in refugee policy, and it discriminates against Muslims. The Act allows persecuted religious minorities who belong to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian religious communities, but not Muslims, to become citizens and “shall not be treated as illegal migrants”, according to the law.
Q: Some regard Indian Citizenship Amendment Act as citizenship engineering. Do you agree?
A: It aims to provide a right of return for all Hindus from Pakistan and other countries in the region. This means it will bring in more Hindus to settle in India, maybe even in Kashmir and exclude Muslims. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) was implemented in the North East of Assam (a state in northeastern India) where nearly two million citizens (the vast majority were part of the Bengali community) were stripped of citizenship, mostly Hindus. This Act would give those Hindus citizenship, but not Muslims.
Q: Do you believe if the amendment will bring about consequences for India?
A: This will lead to instability and has already damaged the Indian economy. The tourism industry has already suffered, and Muslims around the world are boycotting Indian goods. Police and military are deployed throughout the country and India is fast becoming a fascist state.
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