NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has expressed his support for the Indian government's notification of rules related to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which aims to provide citizenship to individuals of certain faiths facing persecution in neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Kaneria applauded the move, particularly highlighting its significance for Pakistani Hindus.
"Pakistani Hindus will now be able to breathe in open air #CAA," he stated, indicating his endorsement of the decision.
Kaneria, known for his illustrious cricketing career and his advocacy for the rights of persecuted minorities, emphasized the positive impact of the CAA on affected communities.
The Union Home Ministry recently announced the implementation rules for the CAA, outlining the process for granting citizenship to eligible immigrants who arrived in India before 2015. An official spokesperson from the Ministry confirmed that eligible immigrants would be required to submit their applications through an online portal.
The CAA, a key element of the BJP's 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto, seeks to offer citizenship to individuals belonging to non-Muslim faiths, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Parsis, who migrated to India before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in neighboring nations.
During his cricketing career, Kaneria represented Pakistan in 61 Test matches, claiming 261 wickets, and participated in 18 ODIs, where he secured 15 wickets. With a remarkable record of 1,023 wickets in 206 First-Class matches, including 71 five-wicket hauls and 12 instances of ten-wicket hauls, Kaneria remains a prominent figure in the cricketing world.
(With inputs from IANS)
