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Ranchi/Desk: Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Modi government has issued a notification for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the country. Just to let you know, it’s been almost 5 years since CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) was passed by the Parliament. But now, the central government has taken a big decision and implemented CAA in the country. Now, CAA, which means Citizenship Amendment Act, will be implemented in the country starting today. Under this law, the displaced minorities from three neighboring countries will be granted Indian citizenship. However, they will have to apply through the online portal prepared by the Indian government for Indian citizenship
Muslim minorities from three countries will be granted citizenship in India
Gas Cylinder Rate: Prices of 5 to 14 kg gas cylinders have decreased in Jharkhand, check out the latest rates
What is the CAA law and its provisions
Let me tell you, CAA stands for Citizenship Amendment Act, which allows people of all religions, except Muslims from the neighboring countries of India, to be granted citizenship in the country. The central government has prepared a web portal for them (minorities from all three countries) to apply. They will have to register on this portal. And after their registration, a government investigation will be conducted and then they will be granted Indian citizenship. Along with this, the displaced minorities from these three Muslim countries (Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan) will not need to provide any documents.
Citizenship being given in these 9 states of the country
Under the Citizenship Act of 1955, people belonging to Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist religions coming from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have been granted the power to be given Indian citizenship by district magistrates and home secretaries of more than 30 districts in 9 states of the country in the last two years. As per the annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs for the year 2021-22, around 1414 foreigners from non-Muslim minority communities of Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have been granted Indian citizenship from April 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. Citizenship has been granted to minority communities from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in the nine states of Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan
When will the CAA notification come ?
Yesterday evening, the Citizenship Amendment Act notification has been released. In this regard, it is worth mentioning that the government may announce the dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the next few days. Therefore, it can be seen that the Central government has done a very clever job by issuing the CAA notification. It should be noted that as soon as the notification is issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Citizenship Amendment Act has been implemented throughout the country.
When was the Citizenship Amendment Act passed ?
For your information, let me tell you that the Citizenship Amendment Act, also known as the CAA, was passed in the month of December in the year 2019. After that, the President of the country approved this law. However, after that, protests against the CAA started in different parts of the country. But the central government had not been able to implement this law yet. Actually, it is necessary to notify the essential rules to implement it. So, this was the reason why this law could not be implemented.
Who will be eligible for Indian citizenship under CAA ?
Under the Citizenship Amendment Act, non-Muslim communities like Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis, and Buddhists have been included. Let me inform you that they will only be granted Indian citizenship if these communities came to India on or before December 31, 2014, seeking refuge. Therefore, only those individuals who came to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh before December 31, 2014, will be granted Indian citizenship by the central government.
What did the Home Minister say about the Citizenship Amendment Act ?
The Home Minister Amit Shah said about the Citizenship Amendment Act that no one can stop this law from being implemented. This is a law made in our country that will be applicable to everyone. In this way, now the CAA will be implemented nationwide. Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement is also being seen as an election campaign because Lok Sabha elections are coming up
How can one apply online for citizenship under the 2019 Act ?
1. Select the option to “Click To Submit Application For Indian Citizenship under CAA 2019” on the online portal for Indian citizenship.
2. To move on to the next page, enter the CAPTCHA code and your mobile number.
3. Enter your name, email address, and CAPTCHA code on the next page.
4. Press the button labeled “Submit.”
5. Look for an OTP (one-time password) in your email and on your phone. Enter and confirm the OTPs.
6. To ensure further verification, input the CAPTCHA code again.
7. Click the login button, then input the CAPTCHA code and your email address or mobile number. Select “Continue.”
8. Your registered mobile number will receive a second OTP. ReEnter the CAPTCHA code after entering the OTP. Then select “Verify and Proceed.”
9. The option “Click Here to Initiate Fresh Application” will show up following a successful verification.
10. Provide information regarding the applicant’s past, including where they lived before 2014, where they were born, and how long they were there.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER FILLING ONLINE APPLICATION ?
The applications filed under the act will be examined for legality by the District Level Committee, which will be led by the Designated Officer. After the necessary document verification, the appointed official will deliver the oath of loyalty to the applicant.
The officer will then sign the oath of allegiance and send it to the Empowered Committee electronically, along with a confirmation that the documents have been verified.
DO INDIAN CITIZENS’ RIGHTS FALL UNDER THE CAA ?
The government has guaranteed that Indian citizens’ rights are unaffected by the Act. Furthermore, it makes no changes to the legal procedure for foreigners to become citizens of India. In order to safeguard the indigenous people of the Northeastern states, the CAA does not include regions that are covered by the Sixth Schedule or the Inner Line Permit system.
The applicants must have resided continuously in India for a period of 12 months and submit the addresses of their previous 14 years of residence.
FAQs
- What is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India ?
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a law enacted by the Indian government to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from neighboring countries.
- Who passed the CAA, and when was it implemented ?
The CAA was passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2019, and it has been implemented by the Modi government.
- Which communities are eligible for Indian citizenship under the CAA ?
Non-Muslim communities such as Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis, and Buddhists from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are eligible for Indian citizenship under the CAA.
- What countries are covered under the CAA?
The CAA covers minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh seeking refuge in India.
- When can one apply for Indian citizenship under the 2019 Act?
Eligible individuals who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014, seeking refuge can apply for Indian citizenship under the CAA.
- How can one apply online for citizenship under the 2019 Act ?
Applicants can apply for Indian citizenship under the CAA through the designated online portal by providing necessary details and documents.
- What happens after filling out the online application for citizenship ?
After filling out the online application, it will be examined by the District Level Committee for legality, and upon verification, the applicant will be granted citizenship.
- Are Indian citizens’ rights affected by the CAA ?
No, the rights of Indian citizens remain unaffected by the CAA, and the legal procedure for foreigners to become citizens remains unchanged.
- What did Home Minister Amit Shah say about the CAA ?
Home Minister Amit Shah affirmed that the implementation of the CAA is inevitable and that it applies to everyone equally.
- Why did the Modi government issue a notification for the CAA now ?
The notification for the CAA was issued ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as part of the government’s agenda.
- What are the provisions of the CAA regarding minority communities ?
The CAA provides Indian citizenship to persecuted minority communities from neighbouring countries without requiring them to submit documents.
- Which states in India have implemented the CAA ?
The CAA has been implemented in several states, including Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
- Can Muslims from neighbouring countries apply for citizenship under the CAA ?
No, Muslims are excluded from eligibility for Indian citizenship under the provisions of the CAA.
- How many minorities have been granted Indian citizenship under the CAA ?
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, around 1414 minorities have been granted Indian citizenship from April 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021.
- What are the eligibility criteria for Indian citizenship under the CAA ?
Eligible individuals must belong to specified minority communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh and have arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
- Are there any exceptions to the CAA for certain regions in India ?
Yes, regions covered by the Sixth Schedule or the Inner Line Permit system are excluded from the provisions of the CAA to protect the indigenous people of Northeastern states.
- What documents are required for applying for Indian citizenship under the CAA ?
Applicants need to provide necessary identification documents along with details of their residence history.
- How long does the citizenship application process take under the CAA ?
The citizenship application process under the CAA involves verification by the District Level Committee and can vary in duration
- What role does the District Level Committee play in the citizenship application process ?
The District Level Committee examines citizenship applications for legality and conducts necessary verifications before granting citizenship.
- What measures are taken to safeguard the rights of indigenous people under the CAA ?
The CAA excludes regions covered by the Sixth Schedule or the Inner Line Permit system to protect the rights of indigenous people in Northeastern states.
