\Samvad

Vaisakha Krishna 8, Vik. Samvat 2081, Yugabda 5126 : 1 May, 2024: SM 6003 (For Private Circulation only)


1. FESTIVALS: AKSHAYA TRITIYA 2. PROGRAMS OF SARSANGHCHALAK DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT
3. SANSKRIT IS CULTURAL ANCHOR FOR HUMAN CIVILIZATION : DHANKHAR 4. SURYA TILAK ADORNS BHAGWAN RAM LALLA’S FOREHEAD ON RAM NAVAMI
5. AYODHYA RAM MANDIR WITNESSES OVER 1.5 CR DEVOTEES SINCE 'PRAN-PRATISHTHA' 6. RAM NAVAMI CELEBRATIONS BY HINDU MOHAJOT
7. 2550TH MAHAVIR NIRVANA MAHOTSAV 8. HSS VARSH PRATIPADA UTSAVS
9. SANGHA SHIKSHA VARG NEW ZEALAND 10. SANGHA SHIKSHA VARG AUSTRALIA
11. HSS TAIWAN UTSAV 12. HSS HOUSTON FAMILIES SUPPORTED VETERANS
13. HSS-SEWA USA EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES 14. HUNDREDS DO YOGA ON THAI AIRPORT RUNWAY
15. BHARATIYA ENVOY TO FOSTER RAMAYANA TRAIL GROWTH IN SRI LANKA 16. KUWAIT LAUNCHES FIRST HINDI RADIO BROADCAST
17. MEXICO-BASED BHARATIYA SCIENTIST GETS PADMA SHRI 18. GUKESH BECOMES YOUNGEST WINNER AT CANDIDATES TOURNAMENT
19. DRDO DEVELOPS LIGHTEST BULLET PROOF JACKET 20. IIT MADRAS LAUNCHES MOBILE MEDICAL DEVICES CALIBRATION FACILITY
21. BHARATIYA UNIVERSITIES DEMONSTRATE HIGHEST PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT AMONGST G20 NATIONS 22. CENTURIES-OLD BRONZE STATUES UNEARTHED IN MANESAR
23. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Article: ACT OF INCLUSION, NOT EXCLUSION


1. FESTIVALS: AKSHAYA TRITIYA (10 May), also known as Akti or Akha Teej, is a festival which falls on the third tithi of Shukla Paksha of Vaisakha month and signifies the third day of unending prosperity. 

In Jainism, Akshaya Tritiya commemorates the first Tirthankara - Rishabhanatha - ending his one-year asceticism by consuming sugarcane juice poured into his cupped hands. Some Jains refer to the festival as Varshi Tapa.

The Yamunotri Mandir and Gangotri Mandir are opened on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya during the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage. People in Maharashtra consider these days as the days to start anything new as it is believed that the work started on Akshaya Tritiya brings long lasting success. In Odisha, farmers start the day with ritual worship of mother Earth, bullocks, seeds and other traditional farm equipments for the blessings of a good harvest. The construction of chariots for the Ratha Yatra festivities of Jagannath Mandir also commences on this day at Puri.
Akshaya Tritiya is also celebrated as Parasurama Jayanti, the birthday of Parasurama, the sixth avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu.
 -GoTop


2. PROGRAMS OF SARSANGHCHALAK DR. MOHAN BHAGWAT: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat said that there is a lack of knowledge about our identity among the countrymen, adding that people should proudly acknowledge that their identity is Hindu.

He was speaking on April 18 at a launch event in Nagpur, Maharashtra, of a book titled 'Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh' published by Saptahik Vivek. He further said that the country needs to organise the entire society with a common thread so we can be clear about our identity.
On April 19 morning, Dr. Bhagwat exercised his franchise and voted at a polling booth near Reshimbagh. Interacting with media persons, he said that he had done his duty and called upon all the people to cast their vote since as citizens, it’s their right as well as duty.
On April 17, Dr. Bhagwat attended the Ram Navami shobhayatra organized by Shri Poddareshwar Ram Mandir. It was the 58th year of the procession. He was joined by the sitting MP and BJP candidate Nitin Gadkari and his rival candidate from Congress Vikas Thakre. The main tableau had an idol of Ram Lalla made on the lines of the main deity at the mandir in Ayodhya. It was behind the traditional chariot carrying the idols of Ram, Sita and Laxman from the Poddareshwar mandir.
 -GoTop


3. SANSKRIT IS CULTURAL ANCHOR FOR HUMAN CIVILIZATION : DHANKHAR: UpRashtrapati Jagdeep Dhankhar said that Sanskrit is the language of divinity and serves as a sacred bridge in our pursuit of spirituality and the quest to connect with the divine. Addressing the third convocation of National Sanskrit University in Tirupati, he described Sanskrit as a cultural anchor for human civilization.

Stressing the role of institutions like National Sanskrit University in revival and propagation of Indic knowledge systems, he called for developing innovative curricula and fostering interdisciplinary research, so that the gap between Sanskrit’s rich heritage and modern academic needs can be bridged.  -GoTop


4. SURYA TILAK ADORNS BHAGWAN RAM LALLA’S FOREHEAD ON RAM NAVAMI: During the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami on April 17, Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir witnessed a ‘Surya Tilak' as the forehead of Ram Lalla’s murti was adorned with a unique mark of sunlight. The extraordinary event, which took place at noon, involved a meticulously planned process utilising mirrors and lenses within the mandir premises.

Commissioned by the mandir trust, a team of scientists orchestrated the phenomenon, ensuring that a beam of sunlight precisely illuminated the forehead of the revered Ram Lalla’s murti. This occurrence lasted for about three minutes, adding a divine touch to the Ram Navami celebrations. The ‘Surya Tilak’ ceremony, a symbol of divine blessings, garnered attention from devotees witnessing a seamless fusion of tradition and modern technology within the sacred confines of the Ram Mandir.
Earlier, Acharya Satyendra Das, Chief Priest of Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, informed that the mandir has been decorated and said, “The murti of Bhagwan Ram is dressed in yellow clothes, and after this he is bathed with Panchamrit. Four-five types of panjiris are made and along with that, 56 types of offerings are made to the Bhagwan.”
 -GoTop


5. AYODHYA RAM MANDIR WITNESSES OVER 1.5 CR DEVOTEES SINCE 'PRAN-PRATISHTHA': Champat Rai, the General Secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, revealed on April 22 that since the pran-pratishtha of Ram Lalla, more than 15 million devotees have visited to pay homage.

Rai highlighted that the mandir welcomes over 100,000 visitors daily. Moreover, he said that work on the first floor of the mandir is ongoing and also announced plans for the construction of a 14-foot-wide enclosure around the mandir, known as 'Parkota.' He further detailed, "The 'Parkota' will serve multiple functions and will include the construction of six additional mandirs and the mandir premises will have the capacity to accommodate 25,000 pilgrims at once, along with their belongings.”  -GoTop


6. RAM NAVAMI CELEBRATIONS BY HINDU MOHAJOT: On April 17, the spirit of Ram Navami resonated through 45 districts of Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Chittagong, Gopalganj, Nilphamari, Mymensingh and Narsingdi, as the Bangladesh National Hindu Mohajot spearheaded vibrant festivities to honour Bhagwan Sri Ramchandra.

At the Sri Sri Ram Sita Mandir on Jai Kali Mandir Road in Dhaka, the day commenced with worship of Sri Ramchandra, followed by a yagna ceremony. The celebration culminated in a colourful procession, which commenced from Dhaka’s Ram Sita Mandir, traversing through prominent landmarks like Banga Bhavan, Ittefaq Mor, Jagatbandhu Ashram and Jiu Mandir Mor of Madneshwar Mahad, before concluding back at Ram Sita Mandir.  -GoTop


7. 2550TH MAHAVIR NIRVANA MAHOTSAV: On Mahavir Jayanti (April 21), Pradhan Mantri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 2550th Bhagwan Mahavir Nirvana Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.

He also unveiled a commemorative stamp and coin during the event. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi emphasised Bharat’s rich cultural heritage and its role as a safe haven for humanity. He also highlighted Bharat's commitment to truth and non-violence on the global stage. Jain devotees united in a nationwide tribute to Bhagwan Mahavir's legacy through processions with Mahavir's idol, recitation of religious songs, charity, fasting, mandir visits, prayers, and meditation, along with consuming sattvik food.  -GoTop

 
8. HSS VARSH PRATIPADA UTSAVS: On April 7, Nairobi Maha-vibhag of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS Kenya celebrated the Varsh Pratipada utsav at the Dindayal Bhavan in Nairobi. 274 people including senior Consulate of the Bharatiya High commission Shri Sudeepji Kulasari attended the utsav.

The Coast Vibhag and Western Vibhags also conducted utsavs with a total attendance of around 100 swayamsevaks, sevikas and parents of bals.
On April 14, the Bharat-Nepal community celebrated Hindu Nav Varsha Utsav and Nepali Topi Divas at Yokodai, Yokohama, Japan.
Participants shared the different forms of celebrations in Bharat and Nepal and enjoyed various cultural and traditional games.
Keshav Shakha Balagokulam of Hindu Swayamsevak HSS Germany celebrated Varsha Pratipada Utsav with khels and engaging quiz on Hindu Sanskruti. The bal gana also learnt about the Hindu Calendar and discussed how they celebrate Hindu New Year in their homes.
 -GoTop


9. SANGHA SHIKSHA VARG NEW ZEALAND: The Sangha Shiksha Varg of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS NZ concluded in Auckland on April 20 with participants from 8 major cities of New Zealand attending the 7 days residential varg. The varg from April 13 to 20 focused on all the 3 years of shikshan (Prathamik, Pravesh and Praveen). The theme of the varg was ‘Yato Dharmastato Jayah’ and 51 shiksharthis and 13 shikshaks attended it.

Daily shareerik shikshan activities included yogasan, aachar padhathi, dand, niyudh, shikshan vidhi etc. and bauddhik sessions covered wide range of topics including Hindu Dharma, Sangh history, Sangh karya paddathi etc. A highlight of the varg was the Matru Bhojan which was supported by 18 families based in Auckland. In his Dikshant Bauddhik, National Vyavastha Pramukh Kishor Mistry urged shiksharthis to follow Dharma as Hindu's by serving the karmabhoomi and punyabhoomi through shakha.  -GoTop


10. SANGHA SHIKSHA VARG AUSTRALIA: Sangh Shiksha Varg (SSV) of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS Australia was conducted in Melbourne, from March 30 to April 7. SSV served as a platform for both established and budding generations to foster a sense of 'aatmeeyata' (bond) whilst providing in-depth insights into Sangh, Hindu Dharma, leadership principles, and more. The program was structured to deliver knowledge and skills through intellectual and physical activities.

Drawing participants from seven Australian states, the program hosted 201 shiksharthis, comprising 119 swayamsevaks and 82 sevikas. Over the immersive eight days, participants honed essential qualities such as leadership, teamwork, and discipline under the guidance of 27 full-time shikshaks and 36 prabandhaks. Some shiksharthis and shikshaks had children who were too young to participate in the main camp activities. To accommodate them, a separate ‘bal gana’ was conducted for the 47 young participants and managed by four dedicated prabandhaks.
Shareerik programmes encompassed training sessions on padvinyas, niyuddh, dand, yogchaap, samata, achar paddhati, khel and yoga. Meanwhile, baudhik programmes consisted of lectures, group discussions, workshops and light entertainment sessions, all aimed at instilling dharmic principles and values.
The concluding Samarop ceremony on April 7 had Cassandra Fernando, Federal Member of Parliament for Holt as the principle dignitary. A demonstration of all physical skills learnt during SSV was displayed by the shikshartis.
 -GoTop


11. HSS TAIWAN UTSAV: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS Taiwan celebrated the Hindu Nutan Varsharambh, Shri Ram Navami, and Vasant Utsav together on April 27. 36 people including swayamsevaks, several new Hindu family members and children participated in the utsav. The preparations included flower decorations and rangoli in front of Prabhu Ramchandra’s photo frame. Prasadam and homemade food were also arranged.

The utsav began with the Dhwaj Vandan, followed by yogabhyas and Omkar sadhana. There was a brief introduction to Hindu Nav Varsh and Ram Navami celebrations in Bharat.
Several participants delivered various performances including chanting of the Ram Dhyana Mantra and rendition of the song ‘Shri Ramachandra Kripalu’ by the shishu gana, violin recital of ‘Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram’, bhajans and Ram Naam Sankirtan. A quiz on the Hindu Nutan Varsh and Ramayan was organized in between the performances, in which both children and adults participated enthusiastically. Many new families came in contact with HSS as a result of the program.
 -GoTop


12. HSS HOUSTON FAMILIES SUPPORTED VETERANS: During the Hindu New Year, Varshapratipada, families associated with the Houston branch of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh HSS USA visited Camp Hope which is a PTSD foundation of America that mentors combat veterans and their families with post traumatic stress.

All North Houston shakhas collected and donated many urgent needs items for these veterans as a Varshapratipada project. The karyakartas also met Marilyn Kinyo, Director of Marketing & Communications of PTSD Foundation of America. They also got to talk to a US Air Force Veteran, who mentors at the facility. Being a graduate of Camp Hope facility, he gave an insight into how the facility operates.  -GoTop


13. HSS-SEWA USA EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES: Central Jersey chapters teamed up with the Edison Health Department in park cleaning. The event saw the enthusiastic participation of children and women HSS volunteers.

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. organized an interfaith tree-planting event, in which the local HSS chapter participated. Vivekananda Shakha in North Carolina in association with the global IT firm TCS organized a community cleaning event involving HSS volunteers and the firm’s employees.
In Dublin CA, Mayor Melissa Hernandez kicked off the Dublin Pride Volunteer Day festivities to mark Earth Day. HSS volunteers participated in the park enrichment and landscaping activities, also volunteering for the setup and cleanup of the event.
Families of the HSS Bentonville chapter in Arkansas celebrated Earth Day by cleaning their adopted street.
Netaji and Nivedita Shakha volunteers participated in the Earth Day Arbor Day event organized by the City of Mission Viejo CA and planted 120 trees.
A singer volunteer from Seattle WA composed and sang a musical rendition honoring Mother Earth.
47 dedicated volunteers gathered at Eakin Park in Fairfax County, VA, for a park clean-up and invasive species removal. 21 trash bags were filled, making a significant impact on the environment.
On April 6, Sewa Maryland and AmeriCorps teamed up for a park clean-up at East Norbeck Local Park, Silver Spring, MD.
HSS chapters in Chicago IL, Dublin and Cleveland OH, South Jersey, and Washington DC undertook similar environmental projects.
 -GoTop


14. HUNDREDS DO YOGA ON THAI AIRPORT RUNWAY: Hundreds of yoga devotees rolled out their mats on the runway of Bangkok's main airport on April 27 early morning as flights rumbled overhead.

The unusual event on the airport's third runway - which is still under construction - saw around 500 yoga-goers arriving at 5:00 am, making their way in the dark to their mats on the runaway. As the sun rose, yoga instructors guided the group through two workouts. "This is a very special event for me," said instructor Pavadee Komchokpaisan, 30, adding it was the first time yoga had been done on the runway.  -GoTop


15. BHARATIYA ENVOY TO FOSTER RAMAYANA TRAIL GROWTH IN SRI LANKA: In a significant diplomatic move, Santosh Jha, the Bharatiya High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, welcomed Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj, the Treasurer of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and his delegation at India House on April 22. Their meeting centered around exploring avenues for Bharat's support in the development of the Ramayana Trail in Sri Lanka.

Earlier, Santosh Jha graced the inauguration ceremony of the Ramayana Trail Project, an initiative supported by Swami Govind Dev Giri Maharaj.
Highlighting the significance of the Ramayana Trail Project, the High Commission emphasized its role in strengthening the cultural ties between Bharat and Sri Lanka, promoting tourism, and bolstering local economies. This initiative is in line with the bilateral agreement reached in 2023 between Bharat and Sri Lanka to promote and popularise cultural and religious heritage sites, including the Buddhist circuit and the Ramayana trail.
 -GoTop


16. KUWAIT LAUNCHES FIRST HINDI RADIO BROADCAST: The first ever Hindi radio broadcast has started in Kuwait, the Bharatiya Embassy in Kuwait said on April 22. The Bharatiya Embassy lauded Kuwait’s Ministry of Information for starting a Hindi programme on Kuwait Radio on FM 93.3 and AM 96.3 every Sunday.

The Bharatiya Embassy in Kuwait noted that this step will further strengthen the ties between the two nations. The Bharatiya community with a strength of around 1 million is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait. Professionals like engineers, doctors, chartered accountants, scientists, software experts, management consultants, architects; technicians and nurses; retail traders and businessmen reside in Kuwait.  -GoTop


17. MEXICO-BASED BHARATIYA SCIENTIST GETS PADMA SHRI: Ravi Prakash Singh, the Mexico-based scientist who received the Padma Shri award, has been hailed for his achievement in making wheat strains resistant to rust diseases and protecting the supply of the foodgrain that is an essential element in diets around the world. The Padma Shri awards ceremony took place with Rashtrapati Draupadi Murmu on April 22 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Singh, who is the head of Global Wheat Improvement at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), is originally from Varanasi.
“Singh has contributed to the development of 649 wheat varieties released in 48 countries, working closely with scientists at national wheat programs in the Global South,” Mexico-based CIMMYT said.
About his pioneering technique, CIMMYT said that Singh helped establish the practice of ‘pyramiding’ several rust-resistance genes into a single variety making it difficult for evolving pathogens to be able to attack the new varieties of wheat.
 -GoTop


18. GUKESH BECOMES YOUNGEST WINNER AT CANDIDATES TOURNAMENT: On April 22, 17-year-old Bharatiya grandmaster D Gukesh scripted history by becoming the youngest player ever to win the Candidates Tournament. The tournament was held from April 5 to 22 in Canada.

Gukesh scored 9 out of 14 points to clinch the honor after his final-round game with Hikaru Nakamura ended in a draw. He became only the second Bharatiya after Vishwanathan Anand to win the Candidates Tournament. After Gukesh’s historic victory in the prestigious tournament, the chess community extended their heartfelt congratulations.
With his historic triumph, Gukesh will challenge the reigning World Champion Ding Liren of China in the World Chess Championship match. He is now the second Bharatiya after Anand to fight for the Classical World Championship title.
 -GoTop


19. DRDO DEVELOPS LIGHTEST BULLET PROOF JACKET: DRDO’s Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur has successfully developed the lightest Bullet Proof Jacket in the country for protection against 7.62 x 54 R API (Level 6 of BIS 17051) ammunition. This bullet proof jacket was successfully tested at TBRL, Chandigarh as per BIS 17051-2018.

This jacket is based upon new design approach, where novel material along with new processes have been used. The front Hard Armour Panel (HAP) of this jacket defeats multiple hits (06 shots) of 7.62 x 54 R API (Sniper rounds) in both ICW (In-conjunction with) and Standalone design. The ergonomically designed front HAP is made of monolithic ceramic plate with polymer backing which enhances the wearability and comfort during the operation. The areal density of ICW Hard Armour Panel (HAP) and standalone HAP is less than 40 kg/m2 and 43 kg/m2 respectively. Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO has congratulated DMSRDE for the successful development of this lightest bullet proof jacket for protection against highest threat level.  -GoTop


20. IIT MADRAS LAUNCHES MOBILE MEDICAL DEVICES CALIBRATION FACILITY: Indian Institute of Technology Madras on April 15 launched Bharat’s first medical devices calibration facility on wheels. Irrespective of geographical locations across the country, the new mobile facility will ensure quality healthcare. This will also help test and maintain medical devices that are used in a wide range of hospitals including those in remote villages.

“Proper diagnosis and treatment are extremely important and for that, the medical devices need to be calibrated accurately and frequently,” said Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras. The initiative boosts the United National Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-3), which calls for health and well-being for all.  -GoTop


21. BHARATIYA UNIVERSITIES DEMONSTRATE HIGHEST PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT AMONGST G20 NATIONS: Bharatiya universities demonstrated the highest performance improvement among all the G20 nations this year, a significant 14 per cent year-on-year improvement in their average ranking, according to QS president Nunzio Quacquarelli.
The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was identified as the highest-ranked university in Bharat in the rankings announced by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the London-based higher education analytics firm. The university was ranked at 20th position globally for development studies.

From 2017 to 2022, Bharat’s research output surged by an impressive 54 per cent, making it the world’s fourth-largest producer of research, the QS president said.  -GoTop


22. CENTURIES-OLD BRONZE STATUES UNEARTHED IN MANESAR: In a surprising discovery, three centuries-old bronze statues of Bhagwan Vishnu and Ma Lakshmi were unearthed in Baghanki village, Manesar, during excavation work for a new house foundation. The statues, one of Bhagwan Vishnu, one of Ma Lakshmi, and a third depicting both seated together, were found by Prabhu Dyal, who had recently purchased the land.

Dr. Banani Bhattacharyya, deputy director of the department of archaeology and museums, Government of Haryana, stated that preliminary investigations suggest the statues are more than 400 years old. The age and historical significance of the statues will be further determined after a thorough study. The statues will be displayed in a museum following proper examination. The discovery of these ancient artifacts has sparked curiosity and interest among archaeologists and locals alike, shedding light on the rich historical heritage of the region. Further investigations and analysis by experts are expected to unveil more insights into the cultural and historical significance of these statues.  -GoTop


23. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Pravas: Visitors:
 -GoTop


FOOD FOR THOUGHT: In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self.- Bhagwan Mahavir.
 -GoTop

JAI SHRI RAM
---
ACT OF INCLUSION, NOT EXCLUSION

 RAM MADHAV

As the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), passed by Parliament on December 10, 2019, are being gazetted by the government, the specious argument that it is anti-secular and makes religion the basis for determining refugee status has resurfaced. Globally, religion is considered one of the key factors for persecution and is an important criterion for refugee status. The US Code book defines a refugee as any person of special humanitarian concern to the US with “a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.”
The criticism that the CAA is anti-Muslim because it excludes Muslims from the list of persecuted minorities doesn’t hold any water. The Act doesn’t say anything against Muslims. It talks about the victims of religious persecution from the minority communities in three neighbouring countries — Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan — which declared themselves as Islamic nations long ago. Muslims are the majority there. If they face any other kind of persecution and thereby seek refuge in India, they have access to other laws. In fact, many Afghan refugees live in India. Political volatility and regular incidents of violence against minorities are common in these countries, resulting in India experiencing the migration of those persecuted minorities — largely Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Christians — into its border states.

While this influx has been continuous, it has taken on enormous proportions at times: The 1971 Bangladesh War saw over 10 million refugees from East Pakistan pour into Bengal, Bihar and Assam. The 1990s saw another such influx when communal riots erupted in parts of Bangladesh. The radical Islamist takeover of Afghanistan in the 1990s triggered the influx of Hindus and Sikhs, especially from Kabul and Kandahar. In Pakistan’s case, this minority influx has been a constant phenomenon.
The CAA’s limited mandate is to address the challenge of this influx. It is an amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955. The Act is a non-discriminatory piece of legislation that stipulates five categories of citizenship — by birth, descent, registration, naturalisation or incorporation of territory. While the first two categories are for Indians by birth or descent, the last three categories are available to non-Indians under specific conditions like marriage to an Indian citizen or legal migration to India. Its non-discriminatory nature can be appreciated from the citizenship acquired by senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in 1983 and Pakistan-born singer Adnan Sami in 2016. In the last eight to nine years, the government has given citizenship to hundreds of such applicants, including more than 550 Muslims.
The CAA doesn’t change this character of the Citizenship Act. It only seeks to fast-track this process for the persecuted minorities as a one-time special measure. Instead of waiting for 12 years under the normal rules, this amendment offers them citizenship in five years. The propaganda that Muslims of India will be removed from citizenship is baseless. There is no provision in the Act for the termination or deprivation of citizenship of any Indian citizen, except that they can voluntarily renounce the same.
This amendment is also not an open-ended invitation to the minorities in the neighbourhood. Only those refugees who moved to India before 2014 can avail this opportunity. It essentially helps those who were victims of violent communal politics in these countries in the last century. Rise in awareness about minority rights and improved political situation in countries like Bangladesh did reduce this phenomenon although it did not eliminate it.
It is not unusual for countries to offer special provisions to select groups occasionally. For example, the Vietnam War had left a large number of Vietnamese as refugees. Gerald Ford was the US President at that time. Several airlifts were organised to bring Vietnamese refugees and asylum-seekers to the US. About 120,000 were relocated. “To ignore the refugees in their hour of need would be to repudiate the values we cherish as a nation of immigrants, and I was not about to let Congress do that”, Ford had declared. Similarly, the crisis in Laos after the Vietnam War had left thousands of Hmar tribes as refugees in Thailand. Thousands of such stateless Vietnamese and Hmar refugees were granted a one-time citizenship offer by the US administration in 2004.
For various reasons, the framing of rules for the implementation of the historic CAA amendment took more than four years. The eruption of a movement, followed by the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic must have caused this delay. Initially, the challenge of determining persecution for refugee status became a subject of discussion. It was proposed that the refugees must be asked to provide proof of their persecution, an obvious impossibility for a majority of them, who happen to be from marginalised and depressed classes. The final gazette notification relaxed this significantly by not insisting on the proof of persecution but seeking evidence of citizenship of one of these countries. Similarly, rules have been eased with respect to the proof of stay in India for more than five years. Over 20 different types of documents have been allowed as evidence of stay.
With the promulgation of the CAA rules, the government has fulfilled a promise it made decades ago. Yet, there is a process involved in submitting applications online together with a few valid documents. The endorsement of one Indian citizen is also required in support of each application. The success of this effort will require NGOs and concerned citizens to come forward to help the refugees navigate this process.
https://www.rammadhav.in/articles/act-of-inclusion-not-exclusion/ (The article was originally published in Indian Express on March 16, 2024)
 -GoTop


No comments: