On 11 March 2024, with the onset of the Ramadan (Ramzan) period, the Narendra Modi government announced the commencement of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This decision to implement the rules of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was made prior to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
It’s worth noting that the CAA was a crucial element in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s manifesto during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and was officially passed by Parliament on December 11, 2019, after the formation of the Modi government 2.0.
In a statement on X, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared, “Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be notifying today, the Rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019). These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for grant of Indian citizenship. The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided.”
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be notifying today, the Rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019). These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for grant of Indian citizenship. (1/2)
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) March 11, 2024
The contentious CAA has been a focal point of protests across India in 2019, with some parties labeling it as a divisive legislation. The government, however, has countered such claims, emphasizing that the CAA is a “law of the land” that will be enforced.
Addressing the issue, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at a business summit last month, clarified that the CAA rules would be put into action before the Lok Sabha polls. He stated, “Our Muslim brothers are being misled and instigated (against the CAA). The CAA is only meant to give citizenship to those who came to India after facing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. It is not for snatching anyone’s Indian citizenship.”
Regarding the CAA, the notification of the rules is anticipated to open pathways for migrants from neighboring countries to acquire citizenship in India. The CAA amends the Citizenship Act of 1955, providing Indian citizenship to migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian communities who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in their home countries. This legislation aims to assist refugees from neighboring countries who lack proper documentation.
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