Centre asks for another six months to frame CAA rules

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• Apr 11, 2022 | Dhupali Das

The controversial law, which sparked nationwide protests for months until they were cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic, has been labelled anti-Muslim and unconstitutional by critics.

Digital Desk: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has requested an extension of six months to draught rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), which was passed by both houses of parliament in 2019. The controversial law, which sparked nationwide protests for months until they were cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic, has been labelled anti-Muslim and unconstitutional by critics.

Non-Muslim minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014, are eligible for fast-track Indian citizenship under the CAA. The Act, however, cannot be implemented unless the rules are implemented.

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Rules must be drafted within six months of enacting any new or amended law for it to be implemented. This is the fifth time the home minister has asked for a delay in finalizing the CAA rules. Previously, on January 9, the Union government requested a three-month extension, citing the Covid-19 pandemic as the cause of the delay. This time, the ministry has requested an extension until October 9.

In May of last year, the Centre granted Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Christians, and Buddhists from these three countries residing in one of India's 13 districts the right to apply for citizenship in the host country. However, because the rules pertaining to the amended Act have yet to be finalized, applications were invited under the Citizenship Act of 1955.

While Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including former party chief and current home minister Amit Shah and current party chief J.P. Nadda, have said for more than two years that the party is committed to implementing the CAA, the consistent delays in the rules being framed raise doubts.