CAA Timeline: What Is Citizenship Amendment Act In India, What Does The Law Mean, Here's A Lowdown On The Rules And Regulations

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the central government announced the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Union Home Minister Amit Shah took to his official Twitter (Now X) handle to hail the notification from the Modi government. His Tweet read, "The Modi government today notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. These rules will now enable minorities persecuted on religious grounds in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to acquire citizenship in our nation. With this notification PM Shri @narendramodi Ji has delivered on another commitment and realised the promise of the makers of our constitution to the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians living in those countries." 

Attached with the Tweet was an application form for a grant of citizenship by registration or naturalisation. (PDF link here)

Soon after the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was passed by the Parliament of India in 2019, it sparked protests and debates across the country around the religion-based citizenship act. With the announcement of the implementation of the controversial act recently, protests have once again erupted in many parts of India. 

For the unversed, here is a quick timeline with some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about CAA answered here.

What Is CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act)?

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was a law passed by the Parliament Of India back in December 2019 with the motive of granting Indian citizenship to illegal immigrants. CAA covers citizens from neighbouring countries, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, Jain, or Christian faith but excludes people from the Muslim community.

When Was CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) Proposed?

Minister of Home Affairs, Amit Shah back in 2016 proposed the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in the Lok Sabha. Later, CAB became CAA with the act being called the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The act received no support during the 16th Lok Sabha session. 

When Was CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) Passed?

The act was reintroduced in the year 2019 and was passed by both houses of Parliament. The bill was also received by Ram Nath Kovind, President of India's approval. 

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What Documents Are Required For CAA?

According to the SCHEDULE IC, The Citizenship Rules, 2009, the following documents, issued by an Indian authority will be admissible even beyond their validity period. The documents should establish that the applicant had entered India on or before 31.12.2014 as per the application form shared by Minister Amit Shah in his official Tweet.

• Copy of the visa and immigration stamp on arrival in India
• Registration Certificate or Residential Permit issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)
• or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) in India
• Slip issued by the Census Enumerators in India to such persons while conducting census-related survey
• Government-issued license or certificate or permit in India (including Driving License, Aadhaar Card, etc.)
• Ration Card of the applicant issued in India
• Any letter issued by the Government or Court to the applicant with official stamp
• Birth certificate of the applicant issued in India
• Land or tenancy records or registered rental agreement in India in the name of the applicant
• PAN Card issuance document bearing the date of issuance
• Any other document issued by the Central Government or State Government or any Public Sector
• Undertakings of Central Government or State Government or any financial institutions like Banks or any
• other Public Authority
• Certificate issued by an elected member of any rural or urban body or officer thereof or a revenue officer
• Record and account details relating to and issued by the Banks (including Private Banks) or Post Office
• accounts in the name of the applicant
• Insurance policies issued by the Insurance companies in India in the name of the applicant
• Electricity connection papers or Electricity Bills or other Utility Bills in the name of the applicant
• Court or Tribunal Records or Processes in India in respect of the applicant
• Document showing service or employment under any employer in India supported by Employees Provident
• Fund (EPF)/ General Provident Fund/ Pension/ Employees‘ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) documents
• School leaving certificate of the applicant issued in India
• Academic certificate issued by a school or college or a board or University or a government institution
• Municipality trade license issued to the applicant
• Marriage Certificate

How Will CAA Affect Muslims In India?

The Ministry Of Home Affairs in a Q&A form according to a report by Hindustan Times explained how the implementation of CAA won't affect the rights of Muslims in the country. It read, “Indian Muslims need not worry as CAA has not made any provision to impact their citizenship and has nothing to do with the present 18 crore Indian Muslims, who have equal rights like their Hindu counterparts. No Indian citizen would be asked to produce any document to prove his citizenship after this act.” 

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We spoke to our legal expert too to understand the act’s impact on the Muslim community seeking citizenship in India. "Naturalisation is the legal act or process by which a non-national of a country acquires the nationality of that country after birth. While the Citizenship Act does not define “naturalisation”, section 6 speaks of the process of “Citizenship by Naturalisation” which provides that any person (who is a non Indian national) "of full age" (a major) and capacity (ie a person having mental capacity, being of sound mind), who is not an illegal migrant may qualify to be an applicant for Citizenship by Naturalisation. CAA does not cancel the naturalisation laws. Therefore, any person(s) including Muslim migrants from any foreign country, seeking  Indian citizenship, can apply for the same under the existing laws," said Siddharth Chandrashekhar, Advocate and Legal Counselor, Bombay High Court.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has been a subject of debate and controversy ever since the beginning and with its implementation announcement, there is likely to be a negative impact on the country's secular fabric. As per a report by The Wire, protests have erupted in Assam. All Assam Students Union (AASU) was out on the streets recently where copies of the act were burnt in dissent.

For more updates on CAA, stay tuned to HerZindagi.com