Religion and Citizenship


The amendment to the Indian Citizenship Act 2019 lets minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to become Indian citizens. While justifying the Indian Citizenship amendment Act, it is often sad that the three countries are theocratic states and that because it is so it is assumed that the 'minorities' are persecuted. This assumption might be flawed.

The "honorable" theoretical assumption that the Constitution of Bangladesh does not treat all religions equally on effect of the state having its own stated religion is far from truth.

Clause 2A of the Constitution of Bangladesh states: The state religion of the Republic is Islam, but the State shall ensure equal status and equal right in the practice of the Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and other religions.

Further Part 2, Section 12 is on Secularism and freedom of religion. It states: The principle of secularism shall be realised by the elimination of - (a) communalism in all its forms ; (b) the granting by the State of political status in favour of any religion ; (c) the abuse of religion for political purposes ; (d) any discrimination against, or persecution of, persons practicing a particular religion.

If at all it is theoretically assumed that the Constitution of Bangladesh breeds religious persecution / inequality, then what about the Constitution of Sri Lanka? Chapter 2, clause 9 of the Sri Lankan Constitution states: "The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana, while assuring to all religions the rights granted by Articles 10 and 14(1)(e).

Here too the republic of Sri Lanka gives Buddha Shasana (Buddhist rule) the foremost place. Isn't it then imperative that I also theoretically assume that that the constitution of Sri Lanka too like the Constitution of Bangladesh breeds religious persecution / inequality?

If so, can you be having one set of logic for one country and another set for the other? Wouldn't the minorities in Bangladesh and the minorities in Sri Lanka be equal among equals? If so, is the classification in the CAA justifiable and non arbitrary?

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