In a significant development, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government is poised to announce the rules for the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) today, March 11. This long-awaited move comes on the heels of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent commitment to implement the CAA before the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections later this year.
The CAA, which seeks to amend the Citizenship Act of 1955, aims to extend Indian citizenship to migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian communities. To qualify, these individuals must have entered India on or before December 31, 2014, fleeing religious persecution in their home countries.
Anticipating the announcement of the CAA rules, reports suggest that an online portal has been readied for registrations, indicating the government’s readiness to enforce the legislation. Additionally, district authorities have been empowered to issue long-term visas, seen as a precursor to the full implementation of the CAA.
The enactment of the CAA by the Parliament on December 11, 2019, has triggered widespread protests across India, highlighting the divisive nature of the legislation. Despite the opposition, Home Minister Shah has reiterated the act’s humanitarian intent, emphasizing its aim to provide refuge to those persecuted in neighbouring nations.
With the imminent notification of the CAA rules, the government is set to take a decisive step towards realizing its objectives, amid ongoing debates and protests surrounding the controversial legislation. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
