Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar voiced criticism on Thursday against international comments on India's judiciary and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). The V-P's remarks came in response to statements made by the US and Germany concerning the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money-laundering case related to the now-repealed Delhi excise policy.
Speaking at the American Bar Association (ABA) India Conference 2024, Dhankhar talked about the creation of a narrative surrounding the CAA through official platforms.
"We have a robust judicial mechanism, and there are people in the world who want to lecture us on our judicial behaviour," Dhankhar said.
He reiterated the humanitarian objectives of the CAA, aiming to provide relief to those persecuted on religious grounds in neighbouring countries. Dhankhar said that "no individual was being deprived of citizenship contrary to certain narratives".
"How can an observation on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act be made in ignorance of ground reality? We are considering the humanitarian aspect, a reprieve to those who have been persecuted on religious grounds in our neighbourhood. No one is being deprived. We are not inviting people to benefit from it. benefit of this is being given to those who have been in this country for over a decade," Dhankhar clarified.
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'My Heart Hurts When...': Dhankhar On People In Power Spreading 'Pessimism'
Dhankhar further expressed concern over some Western nations' questioning of the law, urging a firm commitment towards nationalism among citizens.
"We are not a nation to get scriptures from others," he asserted.
The Vice President underscored the cutoff date of 2014 in the CAA, noting that it does not serve as an invitation for exploitation. "Benefit of this is being given to whom? Who are already in this country? They have been in this country for over a decade."
Speaking as the chief guest at the 2nd edition of the American Bar Association Spring Conference in Delhi, Dhankhar stressed India's historical role in providing refuge to various religious communities. He called for a refutation of those who attempt to lecture without understanding the ground realities.
Reflecting on India's economic progress, Dhankhar questioned the previous administration's track record, citing instances of negativity. "My heart hurts when someone who was in a position of power in this country, in the field of economics, spread only pessimism," he remarked.
Recent Foreign Comments On India:
On Wednesday, India summoned a senior US diplomat and expressed strong opposition to Washington's remarks on Kejriwal's arrest.
Later, a US State Department official had expressed support for Kejriwal's fair, transparent, and timely legal process.
On March 23, India summoned the German deputy chief of mission here and strongly protested the foreign ministry's remarks about the arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister. A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry had taken note of Kejriwal's arrest.
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Kejriwal in a money laundering case related to the excise policy case.
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