Plea in Supreme Court Seeks Protection for Hindus and Extension of CAA 2019 Cut-Off Date Amid Bangladesh Minority Atrocities
Petition Filed for Immediate Action on Bangladesh Minority Violence
A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court of India seeking urgent intervention by the Union Government to address the ongoing violence and atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. The plea highlights the deteriorating conditions for religious minorities in Bangladesh and urges India to take immediate diplomatic and legal steps to prevent further persecution.
Demand for Extension of CAA 2019 Cut-Off Date
In addition to seeking intervention against the violence, the petition also requests an extension of the cut-off date under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019. The Act currently sets December 31, 2014, as the deadline for eligible minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to apply for Indian citizenship. The petitioner argues that due to the recent rise in religious persecution in Bangladesh, Hindus and other minorities fleeing the country should be considered for citizenship under the CAA, irrespective of the original cut-off date.
Who Filed the Petition?
The plea has been filed by Rajesh Dhanda, a Ludhiana-based businessman and philanthropist, who is also the Chairman of Bhagwan Jagannath Rath Yatra Mahotsav Committee, Ludhiana, and Vice Chairman of ISKCON Steering Board. His petition is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India on February 24, 2024.
Key Demands of the Petition
The petition presents the following key requests to the Supreme Court:
✅ Immediate diplomatic action by the Indian government to stop the persecution of Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh.
✅ Direction to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to offer assistance through the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh.
✅ Involvement of international forums such as the United Nations (UN) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) to highlight human rights violations.
✅ Extension of the CAA 2019 cut-off date to accommodate those Hindus fleeing recent violence in Bangladesh.
Allegations Against MEA & MHA
The petition alleges that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have not taken effective international measures to protect Bangladeshi Hindus and other persecuted minorities. The plea argues that while many nations have used international platforms such as the ICJ and UN to address human rights violations, India has yet to take substantial action in this regard.
Current Crisis: Exodus of Religious Minorities from Bangladesh
The plea states that Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and other religious minorities in Bangladesh are facing increasing persecution, leading to a mass exodus. The recent political upheaval in Bangladesh has led to:
🚨 Mass killings of minorities
🚨 Abductions and forced conversions
🚨 Illegal confiscation of minority properties
🚨 Targeted attacks by religious extremist groups
The petition asserts that this persecution is state-sponsored and that immediate political pressure must be placed on the Bangladesh government to halt these attacks.
Legal Background: Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, was introduced to provide fast-track Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. However, the Act currently applies only to those who migrated to India before December 31, 2014. Given the escalating violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, the petitioner argues that the cut-off date should be extended to accommodate recent migrants fleeing persecution.
Conclusion: A Call for Immediate Action
The petition underscores the urgent need for India to step up its efforts in protecting Hindus and other minorities facing religious persecution in Bangladesh. It calls for both diplomatic action and legal reforms to ensure the safety and rights of those affected. The Supreme Court's decision on this plea could have far-reaching implications on India's foreign policy, immigration laws, and the protection of religious minorities.
The case will be closely watched as it unfolds in the Supreme Court. What are your thoughts on this critical issue? Share your opinions in the comments!
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