Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): Solving Key Issues for Citizens
The central government of India had proposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019 which is now implemented in 2024, weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections. The official notification on the implementation of the CAA came on Monday, 11th March 2024. According to the Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2024, the law is enabling the implementation of the CAA that grants citizenship of India to refugees who had sought shelter in India before 31st December 2014 because of religious persecution in three countries- Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This act faced numerous delays due to excessive criticism from refugees, particularly Muslims.
During the implementation of the CAA, the Union government shared the rules for it. Now, the Modi-led government will commence granting Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who migrated to India up until 31st December 2024, after the issuance of the CAA regulations. These consist of Hindus, Christians, Jains, Parsis, Sikhs and Buddhists. Although this rule was proposed in 2019, many are still confused about its need and what exactly its aim is.
What Is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
The vision behind implementing this act is to protect individuals who sought refuge in the country because of religious persecution. The CAA works as a defence against illegal migration proceedings. Those who are looking to apply for citizenship in India need to submit the document that proves their entry in India on or before 31st December 2014. Presently, the citizenship of India is granted to those born in the country or who have lived in India for at least eleven years. The submitted amendment also includes a provision for the abolishment of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration if the OCI cardholder breaches any provision of the Citizenship Act including other applicable laws.
What Are The Key Issues
The Modi-led government has shared the key issues that the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act might be able to solve, as per the report of the media outlet. The report further added that the CAA would help to pull out “legal barriers to rehabilitation and citizenship” and “give a dignified life to refugees who have struggled and suffered for decades.”
