Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): Just before the announcement of Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Central Government today (Monday, March 11) issued a notification regarding the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 ( CAA ) in the country.
Under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Indian citizenship is to be given to persecuted non-Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians, who settled in India before December 31, 2014. It was passed by Parliament in December 2019. It also got approval from the President. The Bill is not against any minority in India and the rights of every Indian citizen will be protected equally.
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Six states have made proposals against CAA in the Legislative Assembly
A resolution from six states has also been passed in the Assembly in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 (CAA) implemented in the country. These mainly include Kerala Assembly, Punjab Assembly, Rajasthan Assembly, West Bengal Assembly, Puducherry Assembly and Telangana Assembly.
What are the controversies related to CAA? Why was the law not implemented for 5 years?
The Citizenship Amendment Act was already in controversy even before it became law. There was a fierce debate regarding this law in both the houses. Opposition leaders were against this law. However, on the basis of majority, the government was successful in getting it passed by both the houses.
Controversies related to CAA
- The Citizenship Amendment Act has a provision to grant Indian citizenship to those people from India’s neighboring countries Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who have been harassed on the basis of religion. Under this law, Indian citizenship can be given to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Christian, Buddhist and Parsi people. There has been controversy due to the absence of mention of Muslims in this law. Because of this, the government has also been accused of religious discrimination.
- Critics are linking this law with NRC. On this basis, it is being said that Indian citizenship will be taken away from people through NRC and then they will be given citizenship again through CAA. In this process Muslims will be thrown out of the country.
- Through this law, people of neighboring countries will be given Indian citizenship. In such a situation, the population of the country will increase further. People opposing this law say that it will increase pressure on the country’s resources.
- This law has been accused of violating secularism. According to the Indian Constitution, no one in the country can be discriminated against on the basis of religion. However, there is no provision in this law to grant citizenship to Muslims. Because of this it is being said that secularism is being violated.
- CAA has been linked to NSA. Critics believe that after implementing CAA, the government will implement NRC. After this, such a situation will be created in which Indian citizenship will be decided on the basis of religion. In this situation, there is a possibility of Muslims being marginalized.
- Critics also fear that after the NRC comes, many people will move out of India. Some of these people will be given citizenship under CAA, but those who will not get citizenship and who will not even have proof of where they lived earlier. They will have no country to live in.
