The Centre, anticipating the announcement of general election dates and the subsequent enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, has issued the rules for the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Monday. The Lok Sabha polls are expected to take place in April-May this year. Passed by Parliament in December 2019, the CAA aims to grant Indian citizenship to refugees who faced religious persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh before December 31, 2014.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted that the newly notified rules, titled Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, will facilitate minorities persecuted on religious grounds in the aforementioned countries to acquire Indian citizenship.
Shah, in a post on X, stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled another commitment and upheld the promise of the constitution’s makers to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians living in those countries.
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…
— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) March 11, 2024
The CAA seeks to remove legal barriers to rehabilitation and citizenship, providing a dignified life to refugees who have suffered for decades. Officials emphasized that citizenship rights will protect the cultural, linguistic, and social identity of the refugees while ensuring economic, commercial, free movement, and property purchase rights.
Key provisions of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 include:
1.Online Application Process: Eligible persons under the CAA-2019 can apply for Indian citizenship through a completely online mode. The government has provided a web portal for submitting applications.
2. Renunciation of Origin Country’s Citizenship:** Applicants must declare irrevocable renunciation of the citizenship of their origin country upon approval of their application. Any future claims on the origin country’s citizenship will be deemed void.
3. Application Procedure: The application process involves submitting an electronic form to the Empowered Committee through the District Level Committee. An acknowledgment in Form IX will be generated electronically upon submission.
4. Verification Process: The District Level Committee, headed by the Designated Officer, will verify the documents submitted by the applicant along with the application. The Designated Officer will administer the oath of allegiance and forward the details to the Empowered Committee.
5. Empowered Committee Scrutiny:** The Empowered Committee will scrutinize the application to ensure completeness and compliance with Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955. Upon satisfactory inquiry, the Empowered Committee may grant Indian citizenship.
To apply for citizenship under the CAA, applicants can follow these steps:
1. Navigate to the Indian citizenship online portal and select the “Click To Submit Application For Indian Citizenship under CAA 2019” option.
2. Provide your mobile number and the CAPTCHA code, then proceed to the next page.
3. On the subsequent page, input your email ID, name, and the CAPTCHA code.
4. Click the submit button to proceed.
5. Check both your email and mobile for an OTP (One Time Password). Enter the OTPs to complete the verification process.
6. Re-enter the CAPTCHA code for additional verification.
7. Access the login window and enter your email ID or mobile number along with the CAPTCHA code. Click on “Continue” to proceed.
8. Receive another OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP and re-enter the CAPTCHA code. Click on “Verify and Proceed.”
9. Upon successful verification, the option “Click Here to Initiate Fresh Application” will be available.
10. Respond to questions regarding the applicant’s background, including pre-2014 residence, place of origin, and duration of stay.
The rules also provide measures for cases where applicants fail to appear in person for the oath of allegiance, enabling the Empowered Committee to consider refusals.
The CAA has been a subject of contention, leading to widespread protests in 2019 and 2020. While the Centre assures that the Act does not affect the rights of Indian citizens, various states have passed resolutions against it. The Act excludes areas covered by the Sixth Schedule and the Inner Line Permit system, safeguarding the indigenous population of the Northeastern states.
Applicants are required to provide proof of continuous residence in India for 12 months and furnish addresses of their stays over the last 14 years. The government accepts valid or expired documents from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan for those lacking necessary paperwork. Certificates or residence permits issued by Indian authorities are also considered valid.
The enforcement of the CAA rules comes as political parties prepare for the upcoming general elections, adding another layer of significance to the controversial legislation.
