THE CAA, EXPLAINED
Everything you wanted to know about the contentious amendment
What is the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019?
A. The act makes illegal Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh and Parsi immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh eligible for citizenship, provided they entered India on or before December 31, 2014 and have stayed in India for six years. It’s not applicable to Muslims immigrants and also to refugees from countries other than the three mentioned above.
Why are people protesting against it?
A. The reasons are many. The Assamese do not want immigrants of any hue as they feel they are burdened with a huge influx of Bangladeshis, posing a threat to their identity and culture and their rights on land, resources and political power. In the rest of India, it’s mostly because Muslims are excluded from the bill.
Is the CAA connected to the National Register of Citizens?
A. Technically, no. However, the act allows almost all non-Muslims to get citizenship before the NRC is rolled out. This will ensure that only the Muslims—those who cannot provide enough evidence to support their citizenship—will be excluded from the NRC. This has stoked fear among Muslims in the country. The CAA also doesn’t cover immigrants from other countries. For instance, Tamils from Sri Lanka don’t get immunity under CAA.
Does the CAA apply to resident Indian Muslims?
A. The CAA has nothing to do with Indian citizens of any religion. The NRC framework is not yet decided but exclusion of Muslims from the CAA may make citizenship difficult for immigrants belonging to the community from the three countries.
How many immigrants are likely to get citizenship under this Act?
A. There are no numbers available yet. In Assam, immigrants will be able to apply next year between January and April. The number of applicants will be out by Aprilend. For the rest of India, immigrants can apply between January 1 and December 31. The government hopes to grant citizenship to all those eligible before the revision of voter lists in Assam and West Bengal. Both states go to the polls in 2021. The latest eligible immigrant—who came to India before December 31, 2014—can be granted citizenship only after December 31, 2020, as only by then will he/ she have completed six years in India.