Just days before the general elections are announced, the government has notified the Citizenship Amendment Rules, which will facilitate the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed by the Parliament in 2019. The move is stirring controversy with the opposition accusing the ruling BJP of polarising voters through these amendments and the government retaliating against these claims – Home Minister Amit Shah says the rules will now enable minorities persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to get citizenship in India. This back and forth exchange highlights the contentious nature of the amendments and underscores the political tensions surrounding citizenship issues in the country.
The Center had consistently asserted that the rules regarding the citizenship law amendments would be implemented before the 2024 polls.
What is CAA and why is it Controversial?
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) aims to grant Indian citizenship to refugees who had sought shelter in India before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. However, the law doesn’t cover Muslims – the government contends that since Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh are Muslim-majority countries, they cannot be considered persecuted minorities.
The law also does not include in its ambit, non-Muslim majority countries, such as the Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka and has no provision for Rohingya Muslim refugees from our neighbour Myanmar.
The government has clarified that the approximately 18 crore Muslim population in India possesses equal rights as any other Indian citizen.
What are Political Leaders Saying?
With the announcement, reactions started pouring from across the states. Addressing a government program in North 24 Parganas district, Mamata Banerjee criticised the Citizenship Amendment Act, stating that it had been enacted solely to harass people and secure seats in the Lok Sabha elections. This statement reflects her opposition to the Act and her belief that it is driven by political motives rather than genuine concern for the welfare of the people.
Union Minister Smriti Irani shot back, highlighting the government’s perspective on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). She emphasised that the CAA aims to provide citizenship to individuals from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities who have faced persecution in their home countries due to their religions.
Irani stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled his pledge by implementing the CAA. She pointed to a recent event in Purbasthali where representatives of the Hindu community expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for enacting the CAA.
The Union Minister also criticised Mamata Banerjee, alleging that she would likely mislead certain communities to safeguard her vote bank. This remark suggests a political disagreement between the ruling party and the opposition regarding the interpretation and implications of the CAA.
Regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the government reiterated that it pertains specifically to individuals belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Parsi, Buddhist, or Jain communities from three Muslim-majority nations – Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. These individuals are eligible for citizenship if they entered India on or before December 31, 2014, and fled their home countries due to religious persecution. This clarification aims to address concerns and misconceptions about the scope and intent of the CAA.
Additionally, the CAA streamlines the process for non-Muslims to obtain Indian citizenship. Typically, to be registered as an Indian citizen, an individual must reside in India for at least seven years, while naturalisation requires a residency period of at least 11 years. However, the CAA relaxes these residency requirements for non-Muslims from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. For them, the residency period is reduced to five years, making it easier for them to attain Indian citizenship.
How to apply for citizenship under CAA?
The Union Home Ministry announced the launch of an online portal allowing individuals to create a login and submit their applications for citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019. The ministry stated that the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules of 2024 have been notified, enabling eligible individuals to apply for citizenship through this portal. Additionally, the ministry revealed plans to launch a mobile application, CAA-2019, to facilitate the submission of applications via mobile devices. This initiative aims to streamline the application process and provide greater accessibility for those seeking citizenship under the CAA.
Reactions from across the states
Protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) have erupted in several states, with notable demonstrations in Assam and Kerala. In Assam, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), which led protests against the CAA in 2019, has called for a shutdown to oppose the law. Similarly, in Kerala, the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) has organised statewide protests against the CAA. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan denounced the law, stating that it aims to divide people, stoke communal sentiments, and undermine the fundamental principles of the Constitution. He further declared that the CAA would not be implemented in Kerala, signaling the state government’s firm opposition to the controversial legislation. These protests reflect the ongoing discontent and opposition to the CAA across various regions of India.
Critics of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) argue that it contradicts the secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution by excluding certain groups based on religious grounds. They contend that the law discriminates against individuals fleeing persecution in non-Muslim-majority countries and fails to provide protection for Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar. Critics express concern that, when coupled with a proposed national register of citizens, the CAA could potentially be utilised to target the country’s Muslim population, numbering around 200 million.
Moreover, there are apprehensions among some Indians, particularly those residing near India’s borders, that implementing the CAA may result in an influx of immigrants, exacerbating existing social and economic pressures. These concerns highlight the multifaceted nature of the debate surrounding the CAA and underscore the broader implications of the law on religious and communal dynamics, as well as immigration policies in India.
Jairam Ramesh, the communication head of the Indian National Congress, expressed his criticism of the delay in notifying the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on social media. He stated that the time taken to implement the rules serves as another example of what he perceives as the Prime Minister’s dishonesty. This comment reflects the opposition’s perspective on the government’s handling of the CAA and underscores the ongoing political debate surrounding the controversial legislation.
As the law has already seen the light of the day it seems difficult to hold it back any how as not much is left at the hands of states or any government body to act upon. Only time can tell how fruitful will this decision be for the Indian population.
