CAA, NRC India's Internal Issues, But Uncertainty Over It Could Affect Neighbours: Bangladesh Foreign Minister

Amid protests against the new Citizenship Law, Bangladesh Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen said CAA and the NRC are India’s “internal issues”, but voiced concern that any “uncertainty” in the country is likely to affect its neighbours. Expressing hope for normalcy, Abdul Momen said the country “can get out of it”.

Earlier, Momen had said, "India have many problems within their country. Let them fight among themselves. That does not bother us. As a friendly country, we hope that India will not do something that affects our friendly relationship.” He had also rejected allegations that minorities face religious persecution in the country, he had said “There are a very few countries where communal harmony is as good as in Bangladesh.”

Moreover, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina had taken up the issue of NRC with PM Modi during their bilateral meeting in New York in September.

According to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 following religious persecution there will get Indian citizenship.

Protests are being held across India ever since a bill was introduced in Parliament earlier this month. The bill was passed by the Parliament and signed into law by the President. The protesters claim that the legislation is “unconstitutional and divisive” as it excludes Muslims. At least 16 people have been killed in violence during anti-CAA protests in Uttar Pradesh alone since Thursday.