CAA ( Citizenship Amendment Act )

In December 2019, the Government of India passed a law called Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). It is intended to make it easier for non-Muslim immigrants from their neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh to get Indian citizenship if they have arrived on or before 31st December 2014. As a result, this legislation has been seen as contentious leading to widespread protests across the country including incidents like Northeast Delhi riots at the beginning of 2020. The government has however notified its rules for the implementation of CAA despite criticism, which allows eligible people to apply for citizenship in India. This move is being made before the national elections that will take place in 2024 and it keeps home minister Amit Shah’s earlier promise about it.

What is CAA Act?

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a rule that the Indian government passed to grant naturalization to specific religious minorities from the surrounding countries. The minorities include, among others, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis or Jains who experienced persecution on account of their religion in the Islamic states such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Previously, individuals who aime­d for Indian citizenship were re­quired to fulfill certain duration of reside­nce that sometimes fe­lt protracted. However, the­ CAA allows individuals who migrated to India, prior to Decembe­r 31, 2014, and are part of these particular minority communitie­s, to apply for citizenship in a more streamline­d manner.

On 11 March 2024, the CAA was enforced. It was a fulfillment of one of the promises made by BJP in its election manifesto. The main purpose of this law is to protect religiously persecuted individuals who need to escape from their countries and relocate to India which would be safe for them.

One thing to ke­ep in mind is that the CAA does not apply to Muslims. The­ legislation primarily focuses on minorities originating from countrie­s where the majority populace­ practises Islam. The law outlines that chose­n immigrants will achieve Indian nationality within a reduce­d timeframe, commonly six years, in contrast to the­ earlier 11 or 12 years.

Moreove­r, the CAA incorporates regulations that le­ad to the termination of the Ove­rseas Citizen of India (OCI) membe­rship if the card owner breache­s any requirements of the­ Citizenship Act or other Indian applicable laws.

Overall, the Citizenship Amendment Act streamlines the process for persecuted religious minorities from neighboring countries to attain Indian citizenship, offering them a faster route to legal recognition and protection within India’s borders.

Who Is Eligible To Apply For Citizenship?

1. Any person who wants to apply must be a citizen of one of the following countries.

• Pakistan
• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh

2. Applicant must be from any of the following religions.

• Hindu
• Sikh
• Parsi
• Buddhist
• Christian
• Jain

3. The applicant must have proof of residence in India on or before 31 December 2014.

4. It is mandatory for the applicants to have all the three information Is Correct.

Important Documents To Apply

• A certificate attesting to the authenticity of your testimony given at the time of application along with a certificate from an Indian person attesting to the character of the applicant.
• The applicant must explicitly state that he knows one of the languages referred to in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution.
• If you have a copy of your valid or expired residence permit, it will be easier to get citizenship, but it is not mandatory.
• If you have a copy of your valid or expired foreign passport, it will be easier to get the citizenship but it is not mandatory.

How To Apply For Citizenship Under CAA In Online?

If you want to apply for Indian Citizenship CAA online, then you have come to the right place. We have explained below for you how to apply for CAA online, along with its full process guide. Read it carefully and apply.

• First of all, open the browser on your device and go to the Indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in web portal.

• After opening, an option to sumbit the application will appear a little below click on it.

• On the next page, you will see the login option. After giving your email or mobile number, fill out the captcha and click on the Continue button.

• Again on the next page, enter your name, email, mobile number and captcha and press the submit button.

• As soon as you submit, an 8 digit OTP will be sent to your email and mobile number. Verify by filling the OTP.

• Now your account has been successfully created, login by providing your mobile number.
• After login, the option of initiate a fresh application will appear in the dashboard, click on it.

• Now you will have to answer some questions, fill those questions correctly and submit.

• Done Your citizenship application was successful.
• Once verified, successful applicants will receive legal recognition and protection within the borders of India.

Conclusion

To sum up, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is meant to facilitate a simple means through which Indian citizenship can be obtained by religious refugees from neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. These people will be able to get legal recognition and protection on a quicker note while in India as per CAA. The Act thus fulfils the promises made by the government and mitigates sufferings of those facing persecution on religious bases. It is vital to understand that Muslims are not covered in this law but rather it focuses more on minorities from countries where Islam is practiced by the majority. Overall, the implementation of CAA amounts to a major leap towards assuring security and rights for victims of religious persecution who come seeking asylum in India.

Frequently Asked Questions