X: @the_news_21
The Ministry of Home Affairs is poised to take a significant step today by notifying the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019, as per reports. This development comes after earlier indications that the home ministry would prioritize notifying the CAA rules before the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The forthcoming rules are expected to delineate the specific documentation required by applicants to substantiate their eligibility for citizenship under the CAA.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) represents a revision of the Citizenship Act of 1955, presenting a pathway to Indian citizenship for Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis who fled persecution in neighboring Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014.
The enactment of the CAA ignited widespread controversy and triggered protests across India. Critics argue that it discriminates against Muslims and contravenes the secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. In contrast, the government maintains that the legislation is a humanitarian measure aimed at safeguarding persecuted religious minorities from neighboring nations.
According to reports, it is unlikely that applicants will need to provide proof of religious persecution, as it will be presumed that those who migrated did so due to persecution or the fear thereof.
