Union Minister Chirag Paswan expresses concern over rising radicalism targeting Hindus; defends CAA for security

Bhojpur (Bihar) [India], November 10 (ANI): Union Minister Chirag Paswan on Friday expressed concern over the rise of radical thinking in the world, particularly its impact on the minority community, with a focus on Hindus being targeted, stating that for this reason, the central government had brought in the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) for the security of the minority communities in India.
During a press conference, Paswan highlighted the criticism of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by some opposition leaders, who have raised concerns that the law could lead to the stripping of citizenship from certain sections of society.
"The way this radical thinking is dominating in different parts of the world and the minority community, mostly Hindus, is being targeted, is a matter of concern. With this thinking, when the central government brings a scheme, many opposition leaders criticise it and spread confusion about the citizenship law in our country that it will take away the citizenship of a particular section of the society," Paswan said.
He reiterated the central government's stance on the CAA, noting that the law is intended to protect minorities, and emphasised that the Home Minister had clarified in Parliament that the legislation was designed to provide protection to minorities in India, not to harm any specific community.

"Despite our Home Minister reiterating in the Parliament that this law is for the protection of the minority in the country. When such incidents happen, we realise how important such laws are in the country so that they can live in the country with respect, not as infiltrators," he said.
Paswan's remarks came following the recent attacks on the Hindu communities in Bangladesh and Canada, where there was a rise in radical and separatist thinking causing these attacks to happen on the Hindu minority community there.
Meanwhile, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, seeks to grant Indian citizenship to refugees who had sought shelter in India before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in three neighbouring countries--Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh--of six minority communities there.
The CAA removes legal barriers to rehabilitation and citizenship and gives a dignified life to refugees "who have suffered for decades." (ANI)