11 March
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
In a significant move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the impending implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), bringing relief to refugees. The central government is expected to issue a notification tonight, with rules likely to be notified on Monday.
The CAA, passed in 2019, aims to grant citizenship to undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 2014. The law specifically focuses on six religious minorities – Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians.
Despite being approved by the President on December 12, 2019, the CAA has faced opposition, leading to delays in its enforcement. The upcoming announcement aligns with the anticipation of Lok Sabha election dates being disclosed shortly.
To facilitate the implementation, the central government has prepared a web portal related to CAA, poised for launch post-notification. The move is expected to stir debates and discussions, given the controversy surrounding the act since its parliamentary passage in 2019.
Stay tuned for further updates as the government navigates the intricate landscape of citizenship amendments, amid the approaching Lok Sabha elections.