The law has been a subject of intense controversy and widespread protests...
Digital Desk: The central government is gearing up to notify the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019 well in advance of the Lok Sabha elections, according to an official familiar with the matter. The implementation process is expected to be seamless, as the rules are finalized, and an online portal is in place for a hassle-free application process.
Once the rules are officially issued, eligible individuals can apply for Indian citizenship under the CAA. The law primarily targets persecuted non-Muslim migrants—Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians—from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. Despite its intended purpose, the law has been a subject of intense controversy and widespread protests, with critics branding it as discriminatory.
The official emphasized that the entire application process would be conducted online. Applicants are only required to declare the year of their entry into India without the need for additional travel documents. This streamlined approach aims to simplify the citizenship-granting process.
In response to reports about the upcoming CAA rules, Congress leader Surendra Rajput suggested that the BJP's motivation behind introducing such a law is rooted in the fear of defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. He argued that the BJP is attempting to divert attention from pressing issues like unemployment and inflation.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, however, reiterated the government's commitment to implementing the CAA during a closed-door meeting. Shah emphasized that the law is non-negotiable and asserted that a BJP government would address concerns related to infiltration, cow smuggling, and the granting of citizenship to religiously persecuted individuals.
The political landscape surrounding the CAA remains contentious, with differing perspectives on its implications. While the BJP defends its commitment to the law, opposition leaders like Rajput view it as a strategic move to sway public opinion in the upcoming elections.
As the government moves forward with the finalization of the CAA rules, the nation watches closely, anticipating potential shifts in political dynamics and the broader discourse on citizenship and immigration.
