The first batch of citizenship certificates for 14 individuals was issued today under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). This act, which was notified by the Centre nearly two months ago, aims to grant Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
One significant change introduced by the CAA is the reduction of the citizenship application period from 11 to 5 years for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from these countries who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
During the ceremony in Delhi, Union Home Secretary Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla distributed the citizenship certificates and discussed the key features of the CAA. Other notable attendees included the Secretary of Posts, Director of Intelligence Bureau, Registrar General of India, and senior officials.
India Issues First Citizenship Certificates Under CAA
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) recently issued its first set of citizenship certificates to 14 individuals, marking a significant step nearly two months after the rules were officially announced by the government.
The CAA allows minorities facing religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to become citizens of India. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the rules on March 11, four years after the CAA was passed by Parliament in December 2019.
On Wednesday, 14 applicants received their citizenship certificates through online processing. These Citizenship Certificates were presented by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
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What Recipient of a Citizenship Certificates Said?
Bhavna, a recent recipient of a citizenship certificate, shared her joy about the chance to continue her education in India. She expressed her happiness, saying, ‘Today, I received my citizenship and I’m thrilled because now I can pursue further studies.’ Reflecting on her journey since arriving in 2014, she highlighted the significance of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which brought hope to her and others like her.
Bhavna, hailing from Pakistan, noted the challenges faced by girls there, where educational opportunities were limited, and movement restricted. She expressed gratitude for the educational opportunities available in India, emphasizing her current enrollment in the 11th grade and access to tuition.
According to the news agency ANI, Bhavna shared her thoughts, ‘In India, we have the privilege to study, which is a stark contrast to my experience in Pakistan.
Understanding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) changes the rules from 1955 to make it easier for certain migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan to become Indian citizens. These migrants belong to specific religious communities like Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian. They must have entered India on or before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in their home countries.
However, this law has caused a lot of arguments and protests throughout India.
The government of Kerala, led by Pinarayi Vijayan, has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, claiming that the CAA contradicts the basic principles of the Constitution.
P Chidambaram, a senior Congress leader, has stated that the CAA will be abolished once the INDIA bloc forms the government in the next parliamentary session.
On the other hand, the BJP government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, strongly supports the CAA.
According to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the CAA will help minorities who faced religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to become citizens of India.
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India Issues First Citizenship Certificates Under CAA FAQs
Q.1. What is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)?
Ans. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a law in India that provides a fast-track pathway to Indian citizenship for persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
Q.2. Who is eligible for citizenship certificates under the CAA?
Ans. Eligible individuals include persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian communities who entered India before December 31, 2014.
Q.3. How long does the citizenship application process take?
Ans. With the CAA, the citizenship application period has been reduced from 11 to 5 years for eligible undocumented non-Muslim migrants from these countries who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
Q.4. What are the key features of the CAA?
Ans. The key features include providing Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from specific neighboring countries, reducing the citizenship application period, and aiming to protect religious minorities facing persecution.
Q.5. How is the CAA impacting religious minorities in India?
Ans. The CAA has sparked debates and protests across India, with some arguing it violates constitutional principles, while others see it as a means to protect persecuted religious minorities. The impact remains a subject of ongoing discussion and contention.
