Hindu refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will now get citizenship of India

Union Government finally releases the notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act

New Delhi – The notification of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) made in December 2019 was finally notified by the Union Government on 11th March 2024 in the evening. This has now paved the way for non-Muslim refugees, especially Hindus, who have sought refuge in India due to religious persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Giving information about this, the Union Home Ministry said that a web portal regarding this has been developed. Through this, the Union Home Ministry will be able to help refugees from the above three countries who do not possess documents. The Ministry of Home Affairs receives most of the applications for long-term visas from Pakistan.

Home Minister Amit Shah had announced a few weeks back that a notification will be issued in this regard. The Parliament had approved the Act on 11th December 2019, and the Government had extended the deadline for making regulations to implement the Act 8 times.

What is the Citizenship Amendment Act ?

The Act will grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who came to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan or Bangladesh after persecution on religious grounds before 31st December 2014. Only people from these 3 countries will be eligible to apply for citizenship.

While the Act was said to be anti-Muslim, the Union Government has repeatedly clarified that the Act will not affect the citizenship of native Indian citizens. It has nothing to do with Indian citizens.

How will be the application process ?

The application process will be online. Applicants have to inform when they came to India. Applicants who do not have a passport or other travel documents can still apply. Under this Act, the period of stay in India has been set at more than 5 years. For foreign Muslims this period is more than 11 years.

Editorial Perspective

With this commendable step, the Union Government should now implement NRC (National Register of Citizens) process and drive out crores of illegal Muslim immigrants in India.