Vantage | What is CAA and why it is controversial

In recent years, one of the most prominent and contentious issues in India has been the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Passed in December 2019, the CAA has sparked debates, protests, and legal challenges across the nation. Let’s delve into the intricacies of this legislation and its potential impact on Indian society.

Background and overview

The CAA is multifaceted, serving as a political promise, a ray of hope for persecuted migrants and a long-pending demand. However, it has also become synonymous with controversy due to its selective approach towards granting citizenship based on religion.

The CAA applies to migrants belonging to six religious groups — Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Christians and Buddhists — from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Those falling under this category and meeting certain criteria stand to have their Indian citizenship fast-tracked.

The Indian government argues that the CAA is essential to protect religious minorities facing persecution in neighbouring countries. Thousands of individuals from these communities have sought refuge in India and the CAA aims to provide them with a fresh start.

Controversies and criticisms

The exclusion of Muslims from the list of eligible migrants has been the focal point of criticism. Rights organizations, opposition parties and even Indian Muslims have raised concerns about the discriminatory nature of the law. Critics argue that using religion as a criterion for citizenship violates the principles of the Indian Constitution.

The CAA has already been challenged in the Supreme Court through around 200 petitions, citing constitutional violations. Additionally, several states, including Kerala and West Bengal, have expressed their reluctance to implement the law, leading to a potential federal standoff.

The CAA mandates migrants to provide evidence of their country of origin, religion, date of entry into India and proficiency in an Indian language. The process of verifying this information has undergone significant changes, with relaxed documentation requirements to prove migrant status and entry dates.

Impact on Indian minorities

There are concerns that the CAA could adversely affect Indian Muslims, particularly in conjunction with the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). While the government has stated that there is no immediate plan for the NRC, apprehensions remain regarding its potential implementation and its implications for minority communities.

With elections looming on the horizon, the CAA is expected to remain a hot-button issue, with both proponents and opponents leveraging it for political gain. However, the legal challenges and the complex dynamics between the Central and state governments suggest that the saga of the CAA is far from over.

The Citizenship Amendment Act stands at the intersection of politics, law and societal values in India. While it aims to address the plight of persecuted minorities, its selective approach and potential ramifications have sparked widespread debate and dissent. As the nation grapples with these issues, the future of the CAA remains uncertain, with its full implications yet to unfold.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.