The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) of India: A Closer Look

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), passed in India in December 2019, has been a topic of much debate. Here's a breakdown of the law and its key points:

What it Does:

• The CAA creates a faster pathway to Indian citizenship for persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
• Eligible minorities include Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.
• These individuals can now apply for citizenship after residing in India for five years, compared to the standard eleven years required for others.

Why it's Controversial:

• The Act has been criticized for excluding Muslims from the list of eligible minorities. Critics argue it discriminates based on religion and violates India's secular constitution.
• Concerns have also been raised about the potential disenfranchisement of Muslims living in India, particularly with the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Current Situation:

• The CAA was officially operationalized in March 2024, sparking renewed debate and protests.
• The government maintains the law protects persecuted minorities, while critics urge its reconsideration based on its discriminatory nature.