African-American actress and singer Mary Millben has supported the Indian government's step of implementing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and said it is a 'pathway towards peace'.

Millben posted on X: "This is a pathway towards peace. This is a true act of democracy."

Praising the Indian government led by PM Narendra Modi, she further said: "As a Christian, woman of faith, and global advocate for religious freedom, I applaud the Modi-led government announcing today the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act now granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Parsis from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan."

"Thank you PM @narendramodi,@AmitShah, and the Indian Government for your compassionate leadership and most importantly for upholding religious freedom in welcoming those persecuted," she said.

India implements CAA

The Indian government on Monday (March 11,2024) notified the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Also Read: Four years after passing bill, Centre implements CAA ahead of Lok Sabha polls

The notification paves the way for granting Indian Citizenship to persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities on grounds of religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

In a post on X, the Home Ministry said, "These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for grant of Indian citizenship."

"The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided," it said.

What is the CAA Act?

The Parliament passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in December 2019.

"Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019, will give a new ray of hope to persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have migrated to India after facing persecution on the ground of religion in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh," Home Minister Amit Shah had said as he piloted the legislation for passing in the Parliament.

Shah reiterated that the Bill is not against any minority in India and that the rights of each Indian Citizen will be equally protected.

He said that the Narendra Modi government is committed to protecting the rights of each citizen of the country.