New Delhi: The Narendra Modi-led government announced the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Monday, just before the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into effect for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated, “Today, the Rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019) will be notified. These rules, named the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, will enable eligible individuals under the CAA-2019 to apply for Indian citizenship.” The applications will be accepted through an online portal provided for this purpose.
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 grant of Indian citizenship. (1/2)
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) March 11, 2024
The CAA was a significant aspect of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and was enacted by Parliament on December 11, 2019, after the BJP government assumed power. While the Act has sparked protests across India, the government has reiterated its stance on implementing the CAA, dismissing claims of it being divisive.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at a recent business summit, emphasized that the CAA rules would be enforced before the Lok Sabha polls. He clarified that the CAA aims to grant citizenship to individuals who faced persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, emphasizing that it does not revoke anyone’s Indian citizenship.
The CAA amends the Citizenship Act of 1955 to provide 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. This move is expected to aid refugees from neighboring countries who lack proper documentation.
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