Amit Shah announced on Saturday the 10th of February 2024 that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be implemented before the Lok Sabha Election. Moreover, he said there is no provision to remove anybody’s citizenship in this act. He clarified that CAA is not a law to take away citizenship from anyone.
Amit Shah said in the Times Global Business Summit.
Amit Shah said our Muslim brothers are being misled, being provoked. CAA is only to give citizenship to those who have come here after facing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. This is not a law to take away anyone’s Indian citizenship. Furthermore, Amit Shah said it was the promise made by the Congress to give citizenship of India to minority groups in Pakistan and Bangladesh during the partition. Moreover, the congress not only forgot their promise but also misled Muslims in India.
The Home Ministry official gave a big statement regarding the rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He said that the rules of CAA will be notified much before the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
What is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), passed in India in December 2019, is a complex and controversial piece of legislation that has sparked much debate. Here’s a neutral overview of the Act:
What it does:
- Amends the Citizenship Act of 1955 to provide a faster track to Indian citizenship for undocumented immigrants who belong to six specific religious minority groups (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians) from three neighbouring countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan).
- These immigrants must have entered India before December 31, 2014, and faced religious persecution in their home country.
- The Act does not offer the same expedited pathway to Muslims from these countries. Moreover, this has been a major point of contention.
Arguments in favour of CAA:
- Proponents argue that the CAA provides refuge to persecuted marginalized groups who face religious discrimination in their home countries.
- They see it as a humanitarian gesture and an acknowledgement of India’s historical role as a haven for those fleeing religious persecution.
Arguments against CAA:
- Critics argue that the CAA discriminates against Muslims by excluding them from its provisions, violating India’s secular constitution.
- They fear it could be used in conjunction with the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Furthermore, NRC is a proposed nationwide registry of Indian citizens. Moreover, it is to disenfranchise Muslims and other minority groups.
- The CAA has also been criticized for being poorly drafted and potentially creating a two-tiered system of citizenship.
Current status of CAA:
- The CAA has been challenged in the Supreme Court of India, but a final verdict is still pending.
- The implementation of the Act, including the accompanying NRC, has been put on hold due to the legal challenges and ongoing protests.
It’s important to note that the CAA is a complex issue with deeply divided opinions. This summary aims to provide a neutral overview. However, it’s crucial to explore different perspectives and engage with diverse sources to form your own informed opinion.
Amit Shah said in West Bengal
In a closed-door meeting with members of the West Bengal BJP’s social media and IT wing at the National Library in Kolkata, Amit Shah said it is the party’s commitment to implement the CAA.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) has now become the law of the country. No one can stop it from being implemented. He accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misleading people on this issue. He said that we have to work to form the BJP government in the next assembly elections in West Bengal. The BJP government will stop infiltration, end cow smuggling and provide citizenship to those persecuted based on religion through CAA.
Furthermore, Amit Shah has said that BJP will win more than 35 seats in West Bengal in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.