Hong Kong (CNN Business) Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has criticized a controversial new law in India that could fast-track citizenship for some immigrants from three neighboring countries — but not if they are Muslim.

sort of someone who grew up there," the Indian-born executive told BuzzFeed News at a Microsoft MSFT "I think what is happening is sad, primarily assort of someone who grew up there," the Indian-born executive told BuzzFeed News at aevent in New York on Monday. "I think it's just bad."

CNN Business did not attend the event, but BuzzFeed News CEO Ben Smith published a transcript of the interview on Twitter.

, will fast-track citizenship for religious minorities -— including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians — from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who arrived in India before 2015. India's Citizenship Amendment Bill, which was passed by parliament in December , will fast-track citizenship for religious minorities -— including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians — from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who arrived in India before 2015.

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The legislation has been met with fierce opposition from critics, who say it openly discriminates against Muslims. Some members of the minority religious group in India increasingly see themselves as second-class citizens in the predominantly Hindu country.

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