New Delhi: The Vice Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), George Kurian, said that any Church which do not want to be included in the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) can give that in writing. Those Churches will be excluded as per their wish from the CAA.
The statement comes after many heads of Churches came out against the Act, which is made to help and protect the minorities, including Christians, who were persecuted by Muslim majority in the neighbouring countries.
The NCM Vice Chairman had said earlier that many leaders of Christian community had welcomed the CAA. He said, “They tell me justice has finally been done to Christians who are victims of draconian blasphemy laws, conversions and abductions. ”
However, many heads of Churches do not support the act and have come out in the open to register their protest against it. Major Archbishop of Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, said that religion cannot be criterion for citizenship. Also, Arch Bishop of Latin Church, Soosa Pakiam, also came out against the Act.
Even the editorial of the publication of Catholic Church of India was highly critical of the Act and against the Central government.
NCM Vice Chairman, George Kurian, also said, “If the Church feels that the Christians from these countries do not want refuge in India, it can give it in writing, we can recommend it. Any church or community that does not want to be included are free to say it.”
