1. The Centre implements the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) after five years of passage in Parliament.
2. Implementation precedes the Lok Sabha election date announcement by the Election Commission of India.
3. Move marks a significant development in India’s political landscape ahead of upcoming polls.
New Delhi, March 12: The Centre took a significant step on Monday by implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), five years after its passage in Parliament. This move comes just before the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates by the Election Commission of India.
Online Application Process
Applications for citizenship under the CAA will be submitted through an online portal, facilitating a streamlined process. Union Home Minister Amit Shah applauded the notification of Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, emphasizing its significance in providing refuge to persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
Fulfilling Commitments
Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the fulfillment of commitments made to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians residing in these countries, underscoring the government’s dedication to upholding constitutional principles.
The Modi government today notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024.
These rules will now enable minorities persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to acquire citizenship in our nation.
With this notification PM Shri @narendramodi Ji has…
— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) March 11, 2024
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Background of the CAA
The CAA, passed by Parliament on December 11, 2019, has sparked nationwide debate and protests. It amends the Citizenship Act of 1955, offering an expedited pathway to Indian citizenship for migrants belonging to specified religious communities who faced persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and entered India on or before December 31, 2014.
Previous Protests
The enactment of the CAA had previously triggered protests across India, including sit-ins at Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh and demonstrations in Guwahati, Assam. However, these protests waned during the Covid-19 pandemic due to imposed restrictions and lockdowns.
Security Measures
In response to the government’s notification, the Delhi Police has intensified security measures in and around Shaheen Bagh, the focal point of previous anti-CAA protests. Additionally, the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police conducted a flag march in Noida to maintain law and order following the Centre’s announcement.
The timing of the government’s notification drew criticism from Congress, with accusations of electoral polarization. Congress’s Communications In-charge Jairam Ramesh questioned the delay in implementing the CAA rules, suggesting that the timing, just before elections, was orchestrated to influence the electoral landscape, particularly in West Bengal and Assam.
He also referenced recent Supreme Court scrutiny over the Electoral Bonds Scandal, insinuating an attempt to divert attention from these issues.
