CAA to violate certain articles of the Indian Constitution? Here’s what CRS report claims

The key provisions in the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) are likely to raise concerns according to some of the experts and lawmakers in the United States. This act, passed in December 2019, sparked controversy and protests within India due to its provisions related to citizenship for certain religious minorities from neighboring countries.

Notably, the CAA, which amends the Citizenship Act 1955, came into force in March, of this year. The amendment allows non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to become citizen of India.

The report has been issued by an independent research wing of the US Congress, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) which has claimed CAA may violate certain provisions of India’s constitution. 

According to a brief Congressional Research Service (CRS) analysis, "The CAA's key provisions—allowing immigrants of six religions from three countries a path to citizenship while excluding Muslims—may violate certain Articles of the Indian Constitution."
CRS is an independent research wing of the US Congress that prepares reports on issues of interest to members of Congress so that they can make informed decisions.

The report highlights, “Representatives H.R. 542, which would denounce human rights abuses and violations of international religious freedom in India, and S.Res. 424, which calls for "a swift end to the persecution of, and violence against, religious minorities and human rights defenders in India" and calls on New Delhi to amend "discriminatory" laws like the CAA, are two examples of how some members of Congress have voiced related concerns.”

The report in the US stems from potential violations of India's secular principles as enshrined in its constitution, particularly regarding the treatment of religious minorities. Critics argue that the CAA, by offering expedited citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, discriminates against Muslims and goes against India's secular ethos.

CAA is internal matter of India: MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal

However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal asserted that "The CAA is about giving citizenship, not about taking away citizenship. It addresses the issue of statelessness, provides human dignity and supports human rights." Jaiswal further asserted that the law is an internal matter of India.