The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which is a government department, has said that they’ve started the process of giving citizenship to people under a new law called the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). This is happening in the states of West Bengal, Haryana, and Uttarakhand.
They’ve formed special committees in these states to handle this process. These committees have already given citizenship certificates to some people who are eligible for it. They did this on Wednesday.
This news comes just before the seventh round of voting for the Lok Sabha elections, which is like choosing representatives for the national government. This voting is going to happen on June 1 in certain areas of West Bengal. These areas include Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jaynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin, and Kolkata Uttar.
Citizenship Certificates Issued in Bengal, Haryana, Uttarakhand
“Today, the Centre began issuing citizenship certificates in West Bengal under the new Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. The initial group of applicants from the state received their citizenship approvals from the Empowered Committee. Similarly, in Haryana and Uttarakhand, the Empowered Committees also granted citizenship to their first batch of applicants under the CAA.
These rules were officially notified by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on March 11, 2024, marking a significant step after the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament in December 2019.”
Also Read: 14 Individuals Receive First Citizenship Certificates Under CAA
New Citizenship Rules 2024
After introducing the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules in 2024 on March 11, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) started distributing the initial batch of citizenship certificates on May 15 in Delhi. About 300 people received citizenship on the first day.
According to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan—including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians—who came to India on or before December 31, 2014, are eligible for citizenship.
The process of issuing citizenship certificates under the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 has begun in West Bengal. The first group of applicants from the state received citizenship today, as confirmed by the Empowered Committee, West Bengal.
Similarly, in Haryana and Uttarakhand, the Empowered Committees have granted citizenship to the initial applicants in their respective states, under the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, as announced by the MHA in a statement on Wednesday.
Controversy and Implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
In December 2019, the CAA was passed without detailed rules. This sparked protests, which quieted down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are still petitions about it pending in the Supreme Court.
The CAA aligns with the BJP’s 2019 manifesto but faced criticism from opposition parties, who connected it to elections.
Opposition leaders like Mamata Banerjee and MK Stalin oppose the CAA, citing concerns about constitutional rights.
Amit Shah, the Union home minister, stated on May 14 that Mamata Banerjee wouldn’t be able to halt CAA implementation.
According to CAA rules, refugees from six minority communities in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan seeking citizenship through registration or naturalization must submit various documents, including affidavits, a statement verifying their claims, and a declaration about their language proficiency as per the Constitution.
Guidelines for Applying for Citizenship
To apply, you need to submit your application electronically to a special committee appointed by the government. This committee will be set up at the district level and authorized by the central government.
Along with your application, you must include certain documents like a passport issued by Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Bangladesh, a birth certificate, any type of identity proof, land or tenancy records, or any document proving your parents’ or grandparents’ citizenship in one of these three countries.
It’s important to note that these documents will still be accepted even if they’ve expired.
Additionally, you must prove that you entered India before December 31, 2014. This proof can be in the form of a visa stamp, immigration stamp, registration certificate from the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), a slip issued by Census enumerators in India, or any government-issued license, certificate, or permit in India (like a Driving License, Aadhaar number, ration card, or an Indian marriage certificate).
Also Read: Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) Implemented Across Country, Check Rules
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1. Who is eligible for citizenship under the CAA?
Ans. Persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014, are eligible.
Q.2. What documents are needed for citizenship application?
Ans. Documents include passport, birth certificate, identity proof, and proof of ancestors’ citizenship.
Q.3. Where are citizenship committees formed?
Ans. Special committees are formed at the district level in states like West Bengal, Haryana, and Uttarakhand.
Q.4. What’s the significance of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024?
Ans. These rules facilitate citizenship for eligible applicants under the CAA, marking a step forward in the process.
Q.5. Can expired documents be submitted for citizenship application?
Ans. Yes, documents like passports or identity proofs are accepted even if they’ve expired.
