CNBC TV18
By Priyanka Deshpande
Published March 11, 2024
Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government on Monday, March 11, notified the rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019). Here’s all you need to know.
The Parliament in Dec 2019 passed the CAA, amending the 1955 Citizenship Act. CAA grants fast-tracked Indian citizenship to migrants within six years and reduces residency requirement from 11 to 5years, a departure from the previous 12-year norm.
What is Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)?
The law grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians escaping religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. Citizenship will be granted to those who entered India from these countries on or before Dec 31, 2014.
Who will get citizenship under CAA?
CAA excludes Muslims, as they are not minorities in the designated countries. The government argues that, given the Muslim-majority status of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh as Islamic republics, Muslims cannot be categorised as persecuted minorities.
Who will not be granted citizenship under CAA?
The Ministry of Home Affairs has prepared an online portal for applicants to streamline the process. Applicants need to declare the year of entry into India without travel documents.
How will citizenship be granted under CAA?
CAA specifically benefits the six minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh; Indian citizens remain unaffected by its provisions.
How will Indian citizens be impacted by CAA?
CAA addresses religious persecution in three neighbouring countries with constitutionally established state religions, leading to persecution of followers of other religions in these nations.
Why only these three countries?
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