Today, On 8th January, The Delhi High Court rejected a plea seeking a rehabilitation package under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The petition argued for financial support for communities impacted by the law, but the court ruled against granting such a package. The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal discourse surrounding the CAA.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court declined to entertain a petition requesting directions for a rehabilitation package for individuals who have been granted citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
During the proceedings, it was noted that some refugees were living in dire conditions, highlighting the need for a rehabilitation package.
However, the Bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, stated that such matters fall under government policy and are not for the court to intervene in.
Read Also: 60-Yr Old Woman in Bihar Becomes First to Get Citizenship Under CAA
The court remarked while dismissing the petition,
“The question of the extent of a rehabilitation package needed is fundamentally a policy issue,”
The petitioner, Vaibhav Saini, had sought a comprehensive rehabilitation package that would include provisions for shelter, healthcare, water, electricity, and sanitation.
The court added while refusing to entertain the plea,
“You are requesting a rehabilitation package, which will be assessed based on various parameters,”
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), enacted in India in December 2019, amends the Citizenship Act of 1955 to provide a pathway to Indian citizenship for certain religious minorities Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians absconding persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. The Act sets December 31, 2014, as the cutoff date, meaning individuals who entered India before this date are eligible for consideration.
However, the CAA excludes Muslims, which has led to widespread criticism and allegations of religious discrimination. The Act has created nationwide protests and debates about its alignment with India’s secular constitution, citizenship policies, and human rights obligations.
Such rehabilitation packages typically include housing assistance, skill development programs, livelihood support, and access to education and healthcare services. These measures aim to facilitate their integration into Indian society, addressing both immediate resettlement needs and long-term socioeconomic empowerment. However, the specifics of such packages vary depending on policy decisions and regional requirements.
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