Centre Notifies Implementation of CAA Weeks Before Lok Sabha Polls 2024

In a move sparking nationwide attention, the Centre has announced the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), just weeks ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Union Home Ministry officially notified the rules for the implementation of CAA on Monday, marking a crucial step in the long-debated process. The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government and passed by Parliament in 2019, aims to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

Despite facing protests since its passage in 2019, the Modi government has pressed forward with the implementation, underscoring its commitment to fulfilling electoral promises. Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier stated that the CAA rules would be notified ahead of the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April-May.

According to an official statement, the implementation of the CAA can now proceed with the issuance of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification, streamlining the process for eligible individuals to acquire Indian citizenship. Notably, an online portal has been set up to facilitate the digital application process, with applicants required to disclose their entry year into India without travel documents.  The move to implement the CAA comes after years of delay in formulating its associated rules, with the Modi government facing pressure to fulfill its legislative obligations. The delay prompted the Ministry of Home Affairs to seek extensions from parliamentary committees since 2020 to continue framing the rules.

The announcement has reignited the debate surrounding the contentious legislation, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused of misleading the public on the matter by Home Minister Amit Shah. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Banerjee has been a vocal opponent of the CAA.

The implementation of the CAA holds significant electoral implications, particularly in states like West Bengal, where it has been a focal point of political discourse. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), emphasizing its commitment to implementing the CAA, sees it as a crucial factor in its electoral strategy.

The CAA’s implementation also sheds light on the administrative process of conferring citizenship to eligible individuals, particularly in sensitive regions like Assam and West Bengal. While the move has been met with both support and criticism, its impact on the socio-political landscape of the country remains to be seen.

Furthermore, recent data from the Ministry of Home Affairs reveals that a significant number of individuals from non-Muslim minority communities have been granted Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Act of 1955, highlighting the ongoing efforts in this regard.