Today, the first batch of citizenship certificates was issued to 14 individuals under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), nearly two months following its official notification by the Centre. This marks the initiation of the process to grant Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
#WATCH | Citizenship Certificates were physically handed over to 14 applicants in Delhi today. Digitally signed Certificates are being issued to many other applicants through email: Ministry of Home Affairs pic.twitter.com/fwpo2FxzlM
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2024
Union Home Secretary Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla personally handed over the citizenship certificates to the applicants in Delhi, outlining the key features of the CAA. The interactive session also saw the participation of high-ranking officials including the Secretary Posts, Director (IB), and Registrar General of India.
Enacted in December 2019, the CAA aims to extend Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians. Although the Act received presidential assent in 2019, the regulations governing the acquisition of Indian citizenship were only issued on March 11 this year after a delay of over four years. The ruling BJP attributed the delay in implementation to the pandemic, despite criticism from the opposition, labeling the move as discriminatory and politically motivated, especially in light of impending Lok Sabha elections.
While the Centre maintains that the CAA does not hinder persecuted Muslims from applying for Indian citizenship under existing laws, protests have erupted in several parts of the country, fueled by apprehensions of potential repercussions on citizenship status. The government, however, insists that the law is necessary to aid minorities facing persecution in Muslim-majority nations, reflecting India’s enduring tradition of generosity towards granting citizenship for a prosperous future.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, led by Amit Shah, reassures that no Indian citizen will be required to provide documents to prove citizenship, emphasizing that the Citizenship Act does not address the deportation of illegal immigrants.
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