The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) was passed by the Indian government in December 2019. It provides a pathway to Indian citizenship for undocumented migrants belonging to six religious minority communities (Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi, and Christian) from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. Notably, it excludes Muslims from this provision, which has been a point of contention and has led to widespread protests across the country.
In Kerala, the notification of CAA rules by the Central government sparked protests from both the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Indian National Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). The opposition parties, including the CPI(M) and the Congress, have been critical of the CAA, alleging that it discriminates against Muslims and undermines the secular fabric of the country.
Similarly, protests erupted in Assam against the CAA, with concerns primarily focused on its potential impact on the state’s demographics and indigenous communities. Assam has a long history of anti-immigrant sentiment, and many fear that the CAA could lead to an influx of migrants, altering the state’s ethnic composition.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who heads the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), criticized the Centre’s implementation of the CAA, accusing the government of engaging in vote-bank politics ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Kejriwal argued that the CAA would lead to the settlement of migrants from neighboring countries in India, potentially depriving Indian citizens, especially youth, of employment opportunities and housing resources.
He also highlighted the issue of unemployment in India, suggesting that the government should focus on creating jobs for Indian citizens rather than extending citizenship privileges to migrants. Kejriwal’s comments reflect broader concerns among opposition parties and civil society groups regarding the economic and social implications of the CAA, particularly in the context of India’s existing challenges related to unemployment and housing shortage.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) was a contentious piece of legislation passed by the Indian government in December 2019. It aimed to provide expedited citizenship to persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who had entered India before December 31, 2014, but specifically excluded Muslims from its provisions. The Act faced significant criticism from various quarters, with opponents arguing that it violated India’s secular principles enshrined in its constitution by discriminating against Muslims.
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