CAA: Modi Govt Notifies Nationwide Implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act, Everything You Need to Know
What is CAA: Just before the Lok Sabha elections, in what can be considered a very big decision, the Modi government issued the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act. According to this, minorities from three neighbouring countries will now be able to obtain Indian citizenship. To get citizenship, they will have to apply through the Central Government’s online portal. On the other hand, since the notification was issued by the Centre, security has increased in many states, including Delhi and the North. Protests in Jamia Milia Islamia, and other parts of the national capital have been started, and police have been monitoring the sensitive areas where there is a possibility of mass gatherings.
In December 2019, Parliament passed the CAA despite violent protests and strong opposition from opposition politicians and non-BJP state chief ministers. Over 100 people were killed during the protests. CAA has made headlines since 2019 and has caused a stir across the country.
Let us know what is the Citizenship Amendment Act, rules, conflicts, and other aspects.
What is CAA?
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), introduced in 2016 and passed in December 2019, amends the Citizenship Act of 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to illegal migrants from specific religious communities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The Act affects Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.
In ongoing discussions and legal challenges, the CAA’s role in shaping the narrative on citizenship, immigration, and religious identity in India remains a significant and contentious issue. The opposing viewpoints, with proponents emphasizing protection for persecuted minorities and critics expressing concerns about its exclusionary nature, reflect the debate's multifaceted character.
How CAA Started?
The Government of India enacted the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on December 12, 2019, sparking widespread national and international protests against the act and its related proposals for the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The protests began in Assam and quickly spread to other states, including Delhi, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura.
Critics argue that by excluding Muslims, the CAA undermines its commitment to secular principles. The Act’s relationship with the NRC, as well as its potential implications for citizenship and community rights, continue to spark public debate. The government emphasizes the December 31, 2014 cutoff date, ensuring that benefits are unavailable to religious minority migrants who arrive after that date.
Impact of CAA
According to the Act, eligibility criteria include a 12-month residency in the previous 14 years, with a 5-year requirement for a specific class of migrants. The CAA does not apply to tribal areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, or to areas with an Inner Line Permit under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873.
Despite concerns, the government maintains that the CAA does not jeopardize the Assam Accord’s sanctity, retaining the March 24, 1971 deadline for detecting and deporting illegal immigrants. The Act, which applies nationwide, is viewed as distinct from the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which is intended to protect indigenous communities from illegal immigration.
