The Citizenship Modification Act got here into impact on Monday, in line with a press release launched by the federal government. The CAA, which for the primary time makes faith a citizenship take a look at, was authorized by Parliament in December 2019 amidst violent protests that claimed over 100 lives and robust opposition from states that aren’t a part of the BJP and opposition lawmakers.
The CAA pointers have been notified by the ministry of residence affairs, opening the door for the legislation’s nationwide implementation. The legislation facilitates the method of acquiring Indian citizenship for refugees who’re Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, and Parsi, and who’re from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
A spokesperson for the Union Residence Ministry mentioned eligible people might submit citizenship functions in a totally on-line mode, for which an online portal has been supplied. One official acknowledged that no extra paperwork might be required from the candidates.
Simply weeks earlier than the 2024 Lok Sabha election, through which Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social gathering will contest for a 3rd consecutive time period, the Citizenship Act is being applied. It is a vital marketing campaign platform for the ruling BJP within the 2019 nationwide election and different state polls.
This comes weeks after Union Residence Minister Amit Shah promised that the legislation can be come into impact forward of the Lok Sabha elections. CAA is an act of the nation. It should positively be notified. CAA will come into impact earlier than the election and no one ought to be confused about this, Shah mentioned.
The objective of the invoice is to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from these nations who arrived in India earlier than to December 31, 2014.
Protests had began in a number of components of the nation when the invoice was handed in 2019.
In the meantime, on Thursday, West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee mentioned that her authorities wouldn’t allow the state to execute the Citizenship Modification Act (CAA) or the Nationwide Register of Residents (NRC).