In a significant announcement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on Saturday (February 10) that the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is set to be implemented prior to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
During the ET Now-Global Business summit in Delhi, Amit Shah emphasized that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would be duly notified and put into action before the impending Lok Sabha elections. He referred to the CAA as an “act of the country,” underscoring its national significance.
Dispelling misconceptions, Shah highlighted that the primary objective of the Citizenship Amendment Act is to grant citizenship rather than revoke anyone’s citizenship. He urged for a clear understanding, stating, “The CAA is an act of the country. It will be notified before the polls. There should be no confusion around it.”
Expressing concern over misinformation, Amit Shah specifically addressed the minority communities, notably the Muslims, accusing them of being “misled and unprovoked.” He called for a correct understanding of the CAA’s intent and purpose.
Key Features of the CAA:
The Citizenship Amendment Act seeks to confer Indian nationality upon persecuted non-Muslim migrants. This includes Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. The migration should be a result of “religious persecution or fear of religious persecution.”
The political landscape gears up for the Lok Sabha elections, the impending implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act adds a layer of significance to the discourse. The act, designed to address the plight of persecuted non-Muslim minorities, remains a contentious subject, with debates centering on its implications and potential impact.