Content:

• The Modi government has issued a notification for the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
• This move comes just before the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates.
• Despite being passed in Parliament approximately five years ago, the decision to enforce CAA across the nation has been taken now.
• From today onwards, the CAA, addressing citizenship amendments, will be in effect.
• Under this law, minorities displaced from three neighboring countries will be eligible for Indian citizenship.
• However, they are required to apply through the online portal prepared by the Indian government.

Amendment Details:

• The amendment made in 2019 under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi focuses on providing Indian citizenship to minorities from three specific countries.
• The eligible communities include Christians, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Parsis, and Buddhists from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
• The Indian government will handle the citizenship application process for these minority populations.

Implementation Process:

• The Citizenship Amendment Act, commonly known as CAA, aims to grant citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from neighboring countries, excluding Muslim citizens.
• The government has established a dedicated web portal for applications from minorities in these three countries.
• After registration on the portal, applicants will undergo a government inspection.
• Indian citizenship will be granted without the need for additional documentation.

Empowerment of Authorities:

• In the nine states of India, magistrates and home secretaries in more than 30 districts have been empowered to grant Indian citizenship to minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
• This is in accordance with the Citizenship Act of 1955.

Recent Statistics:

• According to the Home Ministry’s annual report for 2021-22, approximately 1414 foreigners from these three countries have been granted Indian citizenship from April 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021.

States Involved:

• The states include Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
• This strategic move aims to reshape the dynamics of citizenship in the country.