The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 was passed by the Parliament of India in December 2019. The major aim of this act is to provide Indian citizenship to certain religious minorities from neighbouring nations. Know details here.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 will grant Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who arrived until December 31, 2014. The minority immigrants who belong to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities will only be provided Indian citizenship. The act at first passed by the Parliament of Indian on 11 December 2019.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 was introduced by Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs and was signed by Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India. The Act was passed at Lok Sabha on 10 December 2019 and at Rajya Sabha on 11 December 2019.
The CAA acts became effective on 10 January 2020, and the Code Sections Created on 11th March, 2024.
According to the Intelligence Bureau’s records, currently, there are only over 30,000 beneficiaries under this act.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), amends the Citizenship Act 1955 to build an effective way to grant Indian Citizenship to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): Overview
| Indian Citizenship To Nations | Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan |
| Minority Communities | Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians |
| Citizenship to those who Arrived in India Until | December 31, 2014 |
| Passed at Lok Sabha | 10 December 2019 |
| Passed at Rajya Sabha | 11 December 2019 |
| Introduced By | Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs |
| Signed By | Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India |
| Effective On | 10 January 2020 |
| Code Sections Created | 11th March, 2024 |
The Purpose of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019
The primary objective of the Citizenship Amendment Act is to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-muslim minorities who have migrated to India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The act specifically targets Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from these countries.
The CAA seeks to address the concerns of these religious minorities who faced religious persecution and discrimination in their home countries. It aims to provide them with a legal framework to obtain Indian citizenship and safeguard their rights.
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019: Key Provisions
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 introduces several key provisions that impact the process of granting Indian citizenship to eligible minorities.
Religious Minority Criteria
The act specifies that only minority immigrants from the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are eligible for citizenship under this legislation.
Years of Residence
The CAA reduces the requirement of years of residence in India for these religious minorities from 11 years to 5 years. This means that eligible individuals who have resided in India for at least 5 years can apply for Indian citizenship.
Exclusion of Muslims
One of the controversial aspects of the CAA is that Muslims are not eligible under this act. Many argue about the violation of the principles of secularism and the Indian Constitution.
Protections for Illegal Migrants
The act also includes provisions to protect individuals who may have entered India without valid documents or illegal passports. It aims to prevent the detention and deportation of eligible religious minorities who may have violated immigration laws.
Controversies and Criticisms
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has sparked widespread debates and protests across India. Many argue that it is a violation of secularism and the Indian Constitution. They believe that the exclusion of Muslims from the list of eligible beneficiaries is a clear violation of equal rights and religious freedom.
Protests against the act have taken place in various parts of the country, with people expressing their concerns over the potential implications of the legislation. Some states have even refused to implement the act, leading to further political and legal challenges.
Conclusion
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 is legislation aimed at providing Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. While it seeks to address the concerns of these communities, the act has been met with controversy and criticism due to its exclusion of Muslims and alleged violation of secular principles.
The debates surrounding the CAA highlight the complexities of identity, citizenship, and religious freedom in a diverse country like India. It remains to be seen how the implementation and interpretation of the act will unfold in the coming years.
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): FAQ
Who can apply for Indian Citizenship under the CAA Act?
Persecuted minorities, non-muslim people from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan on Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsis and Christian communities can apply for citizenship.
How can immigrants apply for the Indian Citizenship?
The entire process of providing Indian citizenship will be done online. can apply for the process at https:/indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in.
Also Read – The Indian Penal Code (IPC) – History, Structure, Important IPC Sections
