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G7 industry ministers commit to ‘safe and reliable’ AI

The group also warned that digital technologies, including AI, are posing many complex challenges…reports Asian Lite News

Industry ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) have said that artificial intelligence (AI) is crucial for achieving sustainable development, but needs to be implemented in a balanced and safe way.

After a two-day meeting in the Italian cities of Verona and Trento, the G7 on Friday committed to achieving an appropriate balance between fostering innovation and the need for appropriate guardrails in promoting a safe, secure and trustworthy AI, Xinhua news agency reported.

“We recognize that AI and other emerging technologies, if shaped to be safe… can be pivotal for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” representatives to the meeting said in a final declaration.

These tools can have a positive impact on many sectors, and a “vast potential” to boost productivity, efficiency, business opportunities, and scientific discoveries, they said.

Meanwhile, the group also warned that digital technologies, including AI, are posing many complex challenges, including those concerning the respect of privacy, personal data protection, security and safety of intellectual property.

They also noted that online platforms, along with AI-enabled products, could be used to facilitate hate speech and disinformation, and other forms of manipulation, potentially fuelling social divides.

“These challenges and risks reinforce the need to integrate ethical considerations in relation to the development and use of such technologies,” they said.

The G7 Ministerial Meeting on Industry, Technology and Digital was chaired by Italian Under Secretary of State for Technological Innovation Alessio Butti, as Italy is holding the G7 presidency this year.

The group comprises Canada, the US, France, Germany, Italy, the UK and Japan, plus representatives of the European Union.

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India To Hold 7-Phase General Elections Starting April 19

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates for Lok Sabha and four state Assembly elections.

The general election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases from April 19, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced on Saturday. The counting will be held on June 4.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates for Lok Sabha and four state Assembly elections.

Phase 1 elections will be held on April 19, the last date for making nominations is March 27. Polls will be held in 21 States and Union Territories.  

Phase 2 elections will be held from April 26, last date of nominations for candidates in April 4.Second phase will cover 12 States and Union Territories.

Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Gyanesh Kumar and others during a press conference on General Elections 2024, in New Delhi on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (Photo: IANS/Qamar Sibtain)

Phase 3 elections will be held on May 7, last date for nominations for candidates is April 19. The third phase will cover 12 States and Union Territories. 

Phase 4 elections will be held on May 13, last date for nominations for candidates is April 25.Fourth phase will cover 10 States and Union Territories. 

Phase 5 elections will be held on May 20, last date for nominations for candidates in May 3. The fifth phase will cover 8 States and Union Territories. 

Phase 6 elections will be held on May 25, the last date for nominations for candidates is May 6. The sixth phase will cover 7 States and Union territories. 

Phase 7 elections will be held on June 1, last date for nominations for candidates is May 14. The seventh phase will cover 8 States and Union Territories. 

Phase 1 elections will be held in 102 constituencies, a total of 89 constituencies will undergo in phase 2.

In Phase 3, polling will be held in 94 constituencies.

96 constituencies will undergo polling in Phase  4, and 49 constituencies will undergo polling in Phase 5.

A cyclist rides past a wall adorned with political graffiti in anticipation of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, in Kolkata, Monday, March 4, 2024.(IANS/Ashok Nath Dey)

In Phase 6, polls will be held in 57 constituencies and also in Phase 7, 57 constituencies will undergo for polls.

The assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha will be held on May 13. while the Assembly polls in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim on April 19; Counting of votes  will be held Jun 4.

Nearly 97 crore voters will be eligible to vote for 543 Lok Sabha constituencies across the country. With the announcement of dates, the moral code of conduct comes into force immediately.

CEC Rajiv Kumar said that strict directions have been given to District Magistrates and SPs to ensure level playing field. CAPF to be deployed adequately & assisted by Integrated control rooms in each district. Check posts & drones to ensure vigil.

Ensuring voters’ trust is paramount. Violence in elections is unacceptable. Impersonators to be swiftly punished. Transparency in permissions to parties/candidates through SUVIDHA portal.

ECI has offered 27 apps and portals for all stakeholders.

cVigil empowers citizens to report MCC violations and assured action within 100 mts. KYC app facilitates informed voting. A revamped results portal to enhance the experience on results day.

He further mentioned that the poll body is sensitive to environmentally sustainable elections.

A Woman walks past a wall adorned with political graffiti in anticipation of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, in Kolkata, Monday, March 4, 2024.(IANS/Ashok Nath Dey)

“We are making efforts to minimise single-use plastic and encourage eco-friendly practices in the election process,” he said. 

CEC Kumar informed that to curb the flow of illicit money, the poll body has held extensive reviews with enforcement agencies.

“Cash movement worth around Rs 3,400 crore was restricted in the last 11 state assembly elections in Rajasthan, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Tripura,” CEC Kumar said.

“Measures like ESMs portal, and coordination between agencies resulted in an exponential increase in seizures in the last 11 elections,” he added. 

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that there is no place for bloodbath and violence in the elections.

“From wherever we will receive the information of violence, we will take action against them,” he said. 

On the misinformation being spread in the current era, CEC Kumar said, “We have put certain measures in place to ensure misinformation is nipped in the bud. We’re proactive in debunking fake news. Originators of fake news to be dealt with severely as per extant laws.” 

“Verify Before You Amplify” is the mantra to combat fake news. Let’s rely on authoritative sources to ensure accurate information prevails. Stay vigilant and help us maintain the integrity of the electoral process,” he added. 

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar’s mentioned a Shayari advising voters to not forward fake news and unverified information.

“Jhuth ke bazaar mein raunak to bahut hai, Goya bulbule jaisi turant hi fat jati hai..
Pakad bhi loge to kya hasil hoga siwaye dhokhe ke,” he said. (ANI)

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India Leads UN Push for Secure and Accessible AI

Highlighting the urgency of dealing with the galloping growth of AI and its tentacles reaching everywhere, 53 other countries besides India are joining in co-sponsoring the resolution…reports Arul Louis

 India is behind an effort at the United Nations (UN) to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) systems are “secure and trustworthy” and to keep them open and accessible to the Global South.

India is cosponsoring with the US a General Assembly resolution that calls for promoting “safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems” and “bridging the artificial intelligence and other digital divides between and within countries”.

Amid growing global concerns about dangers to society, politics and economies from AI, the proposed resolution, a draft of which was seen by IANS, emphasises taking steps against the misuse of the system and preventing vulnerabilities and risks.

The draft suggests promoting “innovation for the internationally interoperable identification, classification, evaluation, testing, prevention and mitigation of vulnerabilities and risks during the design and development, and prior to deployment and use of artificial intelligence system”.

Photo taken on Sept. 14, 2020 shows the outside view of the United Nations headquarters in New York, the United States. (Xinhua/Wang Ying/IANS)

It would encourage the “incorporation of feedback mechanisms to allow evidence-based discovery and reporting by end-users and third parties of technical vulnerabilities and, as appropriate, misuses of artificial intelligence systems and artificial intelligence”.

US Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who is spearheading the move to get the resolution adopted by the Assembly, said on Thursday on behalf of the countries co-sponsoring it, “As AI technologies rapidly develop, there is urgent need and unique opportunities for member states to meet this critical moment with collective action.”

The draft “establishes a shared vision that AI systems should be human-centric, reliable, explainable, ethical, inclusive, privacy-preserving, and responsible, with a sustainable development orientation, and in full respect, promotion and protection of human rights and international law”, she said.

Highlighting the urgency of dealing with the galloping growth of AI and its tentacles reaching everywhere, 53 other countries besides India are joining in co-sponsoring the resolution.

The draft focuses on development and the needs of developing countries, calling for the acceleration of AI use to realise the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals covering a range from abolishing poverty to building just societies with a target date of 2030.

It calls for helping “developing countries in capacity building, access and sharing the benefits of safe, secure and trustworthy artificial intelligence systems in achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals”.

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New Delhi Hosts India-Brazil 2+2 Political-Military Dialogue

The dialogue was led by Additional Secretary (LAC) GV Srinivas, MEA & Joint Secretary (IC) Vishwesh Negi, MoD from the Indian side…reports Asian Lite News

India and Brazil held their first-ever 2+2 Political and Military Dialogue in New Delhi on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The dialogue was led by Additional Secretary (LAC) GV Srinivas, MEA & Joint Secretary (IC) Vishwesh Negi, MoD from the Indian side.

In a post on social media platform X, the official spokesperson of MEA, Randhir Jaiswal wrote, “Energising – Strategic Partnership!”

“First ever (2+2) India-Brazil Political and Military Dialogue held in New Delhi today. Co-chaired by Additional Secretary (LAC) GV Srinivas, MEA & Joint Secretary (IC) Vishwesh Negi, MoD, from the Indian side; and Director Marcelo Camara, MoFA & Rear Admiral Fernando de Luca Marques de Oliviera, MoD, from the Brazil side,” the post added.

Both sides discussed a variety of subjects including defence, space, energy, technology and more.

“Discussions spanned defence, space, energy, critical minerals, tech, counter-terrorism and regional, multilateral & other issues of mutual interest,” the MEA posted on X.

Notably, India and Brazil share a very warm and cordial bilateral relationship with each other.

The 18th G20 Leaders’ Summit, which was held in New Delhi on September 9 and 10, saw the presence of Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. During his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the, he also extended support to India’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028-29 term.

The 2024 G20 Rio de Janeiro summit is the upcoming nineteenth meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20) which will take place in Brazil under its chairmanship.

PM Modi had earlier expressed confidence that Brazil under its G20 Presidency will continue to move forward with its human-centric approach. He also said that G20 members will come together in the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ to pave the way forward for global peace and stability. (ANI)

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North Korea’s Kim drives new-type tank during drills

The North’s tank training was seen as a response to the annual 11-day South Korean-U.S. military drills…reports Asian Lite News

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un joined his troops in training to operate newly developed battle tanks as he called for bigger efforts to prepare for war, state media reported Thursday.

The North’s tank training was seen as a response to the annual 11-day South Korean-U.S. military drills that are to end later Thursday. The North views its rivals’ exercises a rehearsal for invasion.

The North’s training on Wednesday was designed to inspect tankmen’s combat capabilities and involved the new-type main battle tank that Kim called “the world’s most powerful,” the official Korean Central News Agency.

During the training, heavy tanks moved around various simulated harsh combat circumstances and fired rounds at targets. Kim mounted one of the new-type tanks and drove it himself, “adding to the high militant spirit of the tankmen of our army,” KCNA said.

North Korea’s Defense Ministry earlier vowed to carry out “responsible military activities” in reaction to the ongoing South Korea-U.S. military exercises in the South. Kim later supervised artillery firing drills.

The South Korean-U.S. training involve a computer-simulated command post training and 48 kinds of field exercises, twice the number conducted last year.

North Korea has dialed up its weapons testing activities since early 2022 in a bid to modernize and enlarge its nuclear and missile arsenals. The U.S. and South Korea have expanded their training exercises and a trilateral drill involving Japan in response.

Experts say Kim likely wants to use his upgraded weapons arsenal to win U.S. concessions like extensive relief of international sanctions on North Korea. They say North Korea is expected to extend its testing activities and ramp up warlike rhetoric this year as both the United States and South Korea hold major elections.

Earlier, Un called for intensifying “practical actual war drills” during a visit to a military training base, state media said on Thursday, as a joint military exercise between South Korea and the US was underway.

During the visit to the base in the country’s western region on Wednesday, Kim inspected training facilities and guided the actual manoeuvres of military units, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

“He set forth the important tasks for intensifying the practical actual-war drills ensuring the victory in a war,” the KCNA said.

Kim also instructed the military to beef up drills to improve its combat capabilities to contain enemies with “overwhelming force” and their “slightest attempt to ignite a war,” the KCNA said in an English-language dispatch.

The visit came two days after South Korea and the US began their annual Freedom Shield exercise Monday to strengthen deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

North Korea has condemned the joint exercise, warning the countries will pay a “dear price”, Yonhap news agency reported.

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Belarus Backs India’s Bid For UNSC Seat

Belarussian Foreign Minister stressed the urgency for reforms in the UNSC…reports Asian Lite News

Joining the chorus for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik, who is currently on a visit to India, said Minsk would support India’s call for a permanent seat in the world body.

Addressing a media briefing in the national capital on Wednesday, the Belarussian Foreign Minister stressed the urgency for reforms in the UNSC, adding, ” We (Belarus) also discussed this issue and are convinced that UNSC reforms should be facilitated. It is a long-lasting issue which is being discussed within the UN, taking into account the very fragile situation in the world today.”

“We also expressed ourselves during the 78th Session of the General Assembly and in our official statement during the 78 Session of the General Assembly, we made it very clear that we would support the accession of India to the Security Council,” he added.

Speaking on his meeting with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, Aleinik said, “We share views towards creating a more just, fair, and multipolar world order. We also hold the same views on the principles of international relations. So the core principles are equality of states and, the balance of interests of each and every country.”

“We also touched upon our cooperation in the SCO, as well as BRICS, and expressed our appreciation for the support that India extended to our application for full-fledged membership in the SCO,” Belarussian FM added on his sit-down with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar.

He said India was the first country to ratify the memorandum on Balarus’ accession to the SCO, adding that he also discussed Balarus’ membership of the BRICS during his talks with the EAM.

The two leaders also discussed regional and global issues, affirming to work towards further enhancing bilateral cooperation between India and Belarus to a ‘strategic partnership’ level, he added.

“We touched upon BRICS because Belarus also applied for full-fledged membership of the grouping. W e look forward to positive consideration by the growing number of member states of BRICS since the last summit in Johannesburg,” Aleinik said.

He stated further that his country’s accession to the SCO is in its final stage and they are hopeful of ‘ complete accession’ in the coming months.

Gung ho on BRICS membership, he said they are expecting some positive developments in the forthcoming summit in Astana, Kazakhstan in October this year.

Earlier, on Tuesday, EAM Jaishankar held discussions with his Belarusian counterpart on bilateral ties, including development partnerships in the field of defence. The two leaders delved into various facets encompassing political, trade, and economic dimensions.

On his India visit, the Belarusian Foreign Minister held meetings with prominent leaders and ministers, holding discussions on boosting ties between the two countries across sectors and spheres.

His visit, which started on March 11 and is scheduled to culminate on March 13, aims at strengthening bilateral ties.

Aleinik’s departure is scheduled for Wednesday night, marking the conclusion of his brief yet pivotal diplomatic mission to India, the Ministry of External Affairs stated in a release.

Jaishankar last met his counterpart from Belarus in the Ugandan capital Kampala on January 19 on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit.

During the meeting, Jaishankar and his Belarusian counterpart held discussions on developments related to the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. (ANI)

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BALOCHISTAN: International Community urged to Intervene

During a press conference at the Geneva Press Club, Dr. Naseem Baloch, Chairman of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), urgently appealed to the international community for intervention in Balochistan. Addressing journalists, he shed light on the significant challenges faced by the Baloch nation and called on the United Nations to champion their cause.

Dr. Baloch emphasized the dire need to end systematic injustices and violations against the Baloch people, stressing that global attention is crucial for their plea of freedom and justice to be acknowledged and acted upon. He highlighted Balochistan’s rich cultural heritage, marked by resilience and a longstanding struggle for self-determination.

Providing historical context, Dr. Baloch mentioned the 1947 declaration of Balochistan’s independence, followed by its occupation by Pakistan in 1948. He underscored the continuous resistance of the Baloch nation against this illegal invasion and brought attention to severe human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture.

Expressing grave concerns over enforced disappearances and mass graves, he condemned the Counter-Terrorism Department’s involvement in fake encounters, perpetuating a cycle of injustice and violence against innocent Baloch civilians. He also highlighted the media blackout in Balochistan, emphasizing the need for international intervention to address human rights violations.

Dr. Naseem Baloch

Jamal Baloch, media coordinator of the Paank, Baloch National Movement’s Human Rights Department highlighted the issue of continued disappearance and the torture inflicted upon the families of the victim. He emphasized how consistent threats, harassment, and physical violence are some of the many ways used by the state to spread terror in the minds of the innocent Baloch. If the victim or his family refuse to comply, then he /she becomes the target of fake encounters.

Karlos Zurutuza, international journalist when questioned about the loss of life and territory in Balochistan, shed light on the resource-rich land which is still under the atrocious regime of the state. Lack of basic amenities to the residents despite being the richest province of Pakistan is what calls for attention. He also highlighted the plight of journalists who are either abducted or suppressed by the agencies to refrain them from covering the ground reality.

Dr. Naseem concluded the press conference by calling for collective action against Pakistan in favor of Balochistan, expressing hope that their plea would resonate globally. The conference was part of BNM’s three-day advocacy initiative during the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The campaign began on March 11, 2024, with BNM’s 4th International Conference on Balochistan at the Geneva Press Club. Distinguished personalities conveyed their perspectives, extending sympathy and unwavering support for the Baloch nation. The momentum will continue with events at Broken Chair over the next two days as part of the ongoing campaign.

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Terror stalks Hindu community in Sindh

Pakistan, over the years, has made the law against blasphemy so retrogressive that more often than not people charge others, especially minorities, of blasphemy for revenge, taking over property or forcibly marry… writes Dr Sakariya Kareem

In Sindh, Pakistan, the Hindu community lives under constant fear of being accused of blasphemy by radical Muslims and extremist groups like Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), all of which enjoy patronage from the Islamic state.

Even for those who have been discharged by the court for being wrongly accused of blasphemy, there is constant danger of being lynched.

Take the case of Notan Lal, Principal of a private school and a resident of Ghotki, Sindh. In 2019, some of his students accused him of blasphemy. It was not an ordinary accusation–the charges would lead to life imprisonment or even a death sentence under the most heinous penal clauses in the world. Pakistan, over the years, has made the law against blasphemy so retrogressive that more often than not people charge others, especially minorities, of blasphemy for revenge, taking over property or forcibly marrying.

Notan Lal’s case triggered an orgy of violence in Ghotki. Hindu temples were razed. Hindu families were attacked and driven to fear. The school where Notan Lal worked was attacked by arsonists. The attack against Hindus was led by Mian Mithoo, an influential Sunni leader who have been accused of promoting forcible abduction, rape, conversion and marriage of young Hindu girls. A fact-finding committee, appointed by the Ministry of Human Rights, concluded that the attacks on temples and riots were premeditated, politically motivated and had tacit political support. In 2022, Notan Lal, a father of four children, was sentenced to life.

Early this month, a High Court judge threw out the case against the Hindu teacher on the grounds of the case was being investigated shoddily and prosecution failures to produce material witnesses to prove the charges against the teacher.

Back at home, Notan Lal and their family are haunted by an equally deep rooted fear of being attacked by militant groups. The local community wants security for Lal. They fear that powerful Sunni groups could either frame him on trumped-up charges or kill him brutally.

Such fears are widespread in the Hindu community in Sindh. In Kandiyari Sanghar for instance, a woman and her three children were abducted. The main accused is an influential cleric in the region, Maulvi Mula Baksh. Her husband has been trying his best to file a criminal complaint but without any success so far. The police, as often in cases of atrocities against Hindus, are doing everything possible to fudge the case.

Members of the Bheel community in Sindh have also been protesting for long against forced acquisition of their land by local Muslim communities. Their houses have been demolished or burnt by marauding Muslim locals. The community lives under constant fear.

The fear stalks Hindus elsewhere too in Sindh. Young girls and women, even married, constantly face harassment from Muslim men; many of them are abducted, raped and forced to convert before being forcibly married. Police, judiciary and political authorities are equally complicit in these heinous crimes.

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India Very Important To US, Says Visiting New Zealand Dy PM

Describing his ongoing visit, Deputy PM Winston Peters mentioned his prior visit to Gujarat and his current meetings with key ministers in Delhi….reports Asian Lite News

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, who is on an official visit to India, emphasized the significance of India to his country and highlighted the importance of the meetings for strengthening bilateral relations.

Describing his ongoing visit, Deputy PM Winston Peters mentioned his prior visit to Gujarat and his current meetings with key ministers in Delhi.

“Well, it’s been very important, very interesting. We think we’re making a lot of progress. We went to Gujarat first and now we’re in Delhi and talking to key ministers like the Minister for Foreign Affairs here, somebody I’ve known for some time. So yeah, it’s very important. India is very important to us. The meetings are very important to us too,” he said.

During his visit to Delhi, Deputy PM Peters also attended the Women’s Premier League (WPL) match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Expressing his excitement about women’s cricket in India, he remarked, “It’s tremendous to see how popular women’s cricket is. This is new, but it’s happening fast. And I’m here to watch a New Zealander, Divine, score a century today. But of course, you don’t have to score a century because you’re not chasing that many,” he added.

On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Deputy PM Winston Peters, expressing anticipation for ‘productive talks.’

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters arrived in New Delhi on Monday evening.

He is on an official visit to India from March 10 to 13 at the invitation of External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

According to MEA, this visit marks Deputy PM Peters’ first visit to India since the new government in New Zealand assumed office in November 2023. His previous visit to India was in February 2020.

Commencing his visit, Peters arrived in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad on Sunday night.

India and New Zealand share warm and friendly relations based on the commonalities of democratic traditions and shared values bolstered by strong people-to-people ties.

The two countries are engaging in cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade and economy, defence and security, education and research, and environment and climate change, the MEA release concluded.

Bilateral relations were established in 1952 between India and New Zealand. New Zealand has identified India as a priority country in its “Opening Doors to India” policy notified in October 2011, which was reiterated by New Zealand in 2015. (ANI)

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Hindu Groups Worldwide Praise India’s Citizenship Amendment Act

The groups hoped that “Pakistan and Bangladesh will consider implementing a similar Citizenship Amendment Act to foster brotherhood among Indian nationals”….reports Asian Lite News

Calling the government’s decision to offer Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities a “big win for human rights”, Hindu organisations across the US, the UK, and Canada on Tuesday hailed the announcement of the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

The CAA — an integral part of the BJP’s 2019 Lok Sabha polls manifesto — will enable the granting of citizenship to people from Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and Parsi communities, who had migrated to India before December 31, 2014, from neighbouring countries because of religious persecution.

“The government’s decision to offer Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan is a commendable move… India, as a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and various other international conventions, has an obligation to provide asylum to persecuted individuals regardless of their religion,” the Hindu Forum Canada said in a statement.

The group hoped that “Pakistan and Bangladesh will consider implementing a similar Citizenship Amendment Act to foster brotherhood among Indian nationals”.

US-based advocacy group, Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), called the move “a big win for Human Rights for the persecuted religious minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

It further said that CAA has no impact on existing Indian citizens of any faith and that it simply fast-tracks the Indian citizenship process for nearly 31,000 religious minorities who fled to neighbouring nations “in the face of extreme and systemic persecution”.

CoHNA pointed out that each year in Pakistan, thousands of minor girls from minority communities are kidnapped, forcibly converted and “married” to their abductors, with support from police and judicial authorities.

“As a result, petrified families with young kids have been fleeing to India for basic safety,” the group, which had run an education and advocacy campaign on CAA in 2020 to counter false narrative on the topic, said.

Hindu American Foundation (HAF) Executive Director Suhag Shukla said that CAA was “long overdue and necessary”, as it protects some of the most vulnerable refugees in India, granting them the human rights they were denied in their home country.

Shukla said that CAA mirrors the long-established Lautenberg Amendment in the US, in place since 1990, which has provided a clear immigration path for persons fleeing a select group of nations where religious persecution is rampant.

“I’m proud to see both the oldest and largest secular democracies in the world — the US and India — be a beacon of hope by extending a pathway to freedom and a new life to those who have suffered gross human rights violations simply because of their religion,” she added.

London-based Hindu advocacy group said: “This is a reflection of India’s commitment to religious freedom and equality, integral to its secular fabric.”

The CAA was enacted by the Parliament in December 2019 amid large-scale demonstrations from the Muslim community, backed by Opposition parties, demanding a rollback of the law calling it discriminatory.

They claimed that the Muslim community had been excluded from the CAA.

“The CAA does not alter the rights of any Indian citizen nor does it establish any religious test for general immigration or exclude Muslims from immigrating to India, as is sometimes wrongly said and reported,” HAF said in a statement.

“Muslims often have more rights in Islamic countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, where there are constitutional discriminations against non-Muslims,” the Hindu Forum Canada said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had reiterated in Parliament that Indian citizens of the Muslim community do not need to fear anything, as this Bill would not affect their citizenship in any way.

Requesting the Opposition not to do politics on this issue and divide people on communal lines, Shah said that “this Bill aims at granting rather than taking away someone’s citizenship”.

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