The Union Ministry of Home Affairs declared that no Indian citizen will be required to present any documentation as proof of their citizenship. The Ministry went on to say that Indian Muslims need not be concerned because the CAA has not established any provisions that would affect their citizenship and is unrelated to the 18 crore Indian Muslims that now live in the country and enjoy the same rights as Hindus.
The Home Ministry issued a FAQ through the Press Information Bureau that contained these claims. Recall that yesterday, the Union Government announced the Citizenship Amendment Rules 2024, which will put the CAA into effect more than four years after it was passed. In order to handle the applications under the CAA, the Center also informed committees at the State and UT levels. Today, the Supreme Court received applications asking for a suspension of the Citizenship Amendment Rules 2024 and the application of the CAA. The MHA published this FAQ headed “Positive narrative on Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019” in apparent anticipation of demonstrations against the law’s implementation, given that the CAA’s introduction had sparked widespread protests across the nation four years prior.
The MHA press release can be found below: The CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) 2019 has shortened the qualifying period of application for citizenship from 11 to 5 years for the beneficiaries who had been persecuted on religious grounds in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan and who had entered those countries without limiting the freedom and opportunity of Indian Muslims to enjoy their rights as they have been typically practicing and entertaining since Independence like other Indian citizens belonging to other religions.
What effects does the Act have on Muslims who have been residing in India? Indian Muslims do not need to fear because the Civil Aviation Authority of India (CAA) has not created any provisions that affect their citizenship and is unrelated to the 18 crore Indian Muslims who currently enjoy equal rights with Hindu counterparts. After this Act, no Indian citizen would be required to present any documentation as proof of his citizenship.
Does India have any agreement or contract with any of these nations to return illegal Muslim migrants to Bangladesh, Afghanistan, or Pakistan? India does not have any arrangement or pact with any of these nations to return migrants to these countries. Since the expulsion of illegal immigrants is not covered by this Citizenship Act, it is unjustified for certain people, especially Muslims and students, to worry that the Act is biased against Muslim minorities.
An unlawful immigrant is who? Similar to the 1955 Citizenship Act, this CAA defines an unlawful migrant as a foreign national who enters India without a legitimate document.
What effect does this Act have on the perception of Islam? Worldwide, the reputation of Islam has been severely damaged as a result of the persecution of minorities in those three Muslim countries. But Islam, a religion of peace, never encourages or promotes hatred, violence, or any form of discrimination based on a person’s religion. By demonstrating empathy and providing recompense for the persecution, this Act guards against Islam being denigrated in the name of persecution.
Is there a prohibition on Muslims pursuing Indian citizens?
No. Muslims from all around the world are free to apply for Indian citizenship under Section 6 of the Citizenship Act, which addresses naturalization.
Why is an amendment necessary? This Act grants the persecuted minorities of those three nations the option to get Indian citizenship in accordance with India’s enduringly benevolent ethos, so extending mercy to them and ensuring their happy and prosperous future. This measure was necessary to curb illegal immigration and customize the Citizenship system.
What are the government’s past initiatives? The Central Government also granted long-term visas to minorities from those three nations in 2016 so they could remain in India.
Do Muslims who migrate from other countries face any restrictions? The naturalization laws are not repealed by CAA.
Therefore, anyone who wishes to become an Indian citizen may do so in accordance with the current legislation, including Muslim immigrants from any other nation. This Act doesn’t stop any Muslim from asking for Indian citizenship under the current laws if they are being persecuted in those three Islamic countries for following their interpretation of Islam.
