Modi government implements CAA, announces rules ahead of Lok Sabha elections
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New Delhi: The Narendra Modi-led government has officially implemented the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by announcing the rules before the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
This move is in line with the BJP's manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated, "Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be notifying today, the Rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019). These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for the grant of Indian citizenship. The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously emphasized that the CAA rules would be implemented before the Lok Sabha polls. He clarified that the CAA is intended to grant citizenship to those who faced persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, dismissing claims that it aimed to revoke anyone's Indian citizenship.
The CAA amends the Citizenship Act of 1955, offering Indian citizenship to migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian communities who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in their home countries.
The Act's exclusion of Muslims sparked widespread protests in 2019, with critics accusing the government of undermining secular principles and treating the Muslim community unfairly.
The rules' notification sets the stage for migrants from neighboring countries to seek citizenship in India. The CAA is designed to assist refugees without proper documentation from these nations.
The controversial nature of the CAA has led to widespread protests across India, with critics denouncing it as divisive. The government maintains that the CAA is a lawful measure that will be implemented as part of its commitment to national development.