What exactly is CAA? Check Full Form, Application Details, and How it will be implemented in India!

On March 11, the Centre stated the rules according to which the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019 will be implemented in the country ahead of the General Elections of 2024. 

This clearly means that the government will now be offering Indian nationality to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh who are undocumented and have come to India up until 31st December  2014. These persecuted non-Muslims comprise Sikhs, Jains, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and Parsis. 

Understanding Citizenship Amendment Act 

The aim of the Act is to safeguard the individuals holding refuge in the country because of religious prosecution. The Act provides them protection against any illegal migration proceedings. 
However, it is important to note that in order to be eligible for Indian citizenship through the CAA, it is a mandate for the applicant to have arrived in India on or before 31st of December, 2014. "These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for the grant of Indian citizenship," expressed the Home Ministry.

At present, Indian Citizenship is granted to those who are either born in India or have resided in India for a period of at least 11 years. 

It is also important to note that the amendment also cancels out the registration of the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) in case the cardholder of OCI violates any of the Citizenship Act provisions.

How can migrants apply for Indian Citizenship? 

The complete process for registration will be done through online mode. A portal is being designed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is important for the applicants to mention the year in which they entered India.
Interestingly, the applicants will not be asked for any documents. 

What does the Opposition have to say? 

The CAA was passed in the year 2019, and since then, it has faced strong opposition. Opposition parties are of the view that the law is "discriminatory" in nature. It has been called discriminatory because it focuses on Muslims, the community that makes up about 15 percent of the population of India. On this, the government guarantees that applications coming from other communities will also be reviewed. 

The Congress party is of the view that the timing of notification is directly aimed at polarizing the Lok Sabha elections coming up in the states of Assam and West Bengal. 

More than 100 lives have been claimed in the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests.