Anticipation Builds as Centre Set to Notify Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) Rules. The Union Home Ministry Amit Shah is expected to make an official announcement on March11, marking a pivotal moment in the act’s controversial journey.
The Indian government is on the brink of a significant legal update as sources indicate the imminent notification of the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a move that has been pending since the act’s enactment in December 2019. The Union Home Ministry Amit Shah is expected to make an official announcement on March11, marking a pivotal moment in the act’s controversial journey.
Increased security measures have been implemented in northeast Delhi, Shaheen Bagh, Jamia, and other sensitive areas throughout the national capital in response to the enactment of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) on Monday, according to officials. Authorities have deployed police personnel and paramilitary forces in various locations, including conducting flag marches in parts of northeast and southeast Delhi.
“Ensuring the safety of every resident in Delhi’s northeast district is our primary concern,”
stated DCP northeast Joy Tirkey to PTI.
“We have bolstered nocturnal surveillance in collaboration with paramilitary units. We are committed to upholding law and order, and no individual will be permitted to disrupt the peace. Flag marches have been organized to safeguard the well-being of all residents,”
the DCP added.
Background of the Citizenship Amendment Act:
The CAA, passed by the Narendra Modi government, amends the Citizenship Act of 1955, creating a fast-track pathway for migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian communities, who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in their home countries. This legislation has sparked widespread debate and led to protests across the nation, notably in Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh and Guwahati, Assam, which subsided during the Covid-induced lockdowns.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been vocal about the government’s commitment to implementing the CAA before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, stating,
“IN FEBRUARY, UNION HOME MINISTER AMIT SHAH SAID THAT THE CAA, WHICH WAS ENACTED IN 2019, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BEFORE THE LOK SABHA ELECTIONS THIS YEAR AFTER ISSUING THE RULES IN THIS REGARD.”
The government’s urgency is attributed to the impending model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls, necessitating the notification of the rules to avoid the law’s lapse. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has reportedly completed dry runs of the online registration portal and empowered district authorities to grant long-term visas, a step preceding the full implementation of the CAA. Notably, a significant number of applications have already been received from Pakistan.
Despite the government’s readiness, there is an expectation of protests in states like Assam, West Bengal, and Delhi. However, government sources have assured that adequate measures have been taken to address any concerns and misconceptions regarding the act. They emphasize that the CAA aims to provide relief to persecuted individuals without stripping any existing citizen, regardless of their religion or community, of their Indian citizenship.
The CAA has been a cornerstone of the BJP’s electoral strategy, significantly impacting its performance in previous Lok Sabha and West Bengal assembly elections. Union Minister Shantanu Thakur’s recent statement that the CAA would be implemented “within a week” has reignited discussions and expectations surrounding the law.
Also Read- Amit Shah Commits: Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) Implementation Before 2024 Polls (lawchakra.in)
State Opposition and Legal Challenges:
Despite the central government’s push, several states, including West Bengal and Kerala, have expressed staunch opposition to the CAA’s implementation within their territories. This resistance underscores the ongoing national debate over the act’s implications and the central-state dynamics in India’s federal structure.
As the Centre gears up to notify the CAA rules, the nation watches closely, anticipating the legal, social, and political ramifications of this significant legislative move. The coming days are likely to witness a new chapter in the saga of the Citizenship Amendment Act, as India grapples with the complexities of citizenship, religion, and human rights.
