News Desk, Kolkata : The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) will be implemented in the country before the Lok Sabha elections, announced Union Home Minister Amit Shah. On Saturday, he stated, “The notification regarding the implementation of the CAA will be issued before the Lok Sabha elections.”
In 2019, for the second time in power, the Narendra Modi government successfully passed the CAA. According to this law, if someone from a Muslim-majority country like Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Afghanistan seeks refuge in India due to religious persecution, they will be granted asylum. Although the bill received approval in both houses of parliament and was sanctioned by the President, specific sections of the law are yet to be formulated.
In January, for the seventh time, the parliamentary secretariat signaled the initiation of the drafting process for those pending sections of the law, using a green signal. Government sources suggest that the completion of this task is imminent. The delay has led to dissatisfaction among a section of Hindu refugees in society, who have been grappling with this issue for the past four years.
As the Lok Sabha elections approach, the Modi government may actively push for the implementation of the CAA to address this longstanding concern. This intention was made clear by Amit Shah during a discussion in Delhi on Saturday. He emphasized, “The CAA is a law of the country, and it must be implemented. There should be no doubt about it.”
States governed by opposition parties, like West Bengal, strongly oppose the implementation of the CAA based on religious identity. A source from the Ministry of Home Affairs indicates that with this issue in mind, the central government has strategized to minimize the role of state governments in the entire process. There are speculations that the plan for obtaining citizenship will be conducted online, and a portal will be introduced for applicants.
According to the sources, through this online portal, those aspiring for citizenship can submit their applications. Information about the year of entry into India needs to be provided, and the application will be scrutinized based on this data. The decision regarding citizenship will be made after examining the details provided in the application.
This move is seen as an effort to streamline the citizenship process and reduce the influence of state governments opposing the CAA. The online platform is expected to simplify the application procedure, making it more accessible for those seeking refuge.
The CAA has been a subject of debate and contention since its introduction, especially in states where the political landscape is influenced by identity politics. The Modi government’s push to implement the CAA before the upcoming elections indicates a strategic move to address the concerns of certain segments of the population and gain political support.
As the nation awaits the implementation of the pending sections of the CAA, the political dynamics surrounding this issue continue to evolve. The government’s decision to leverage online platforms for citizenship applications reflects a modern approach to address historical concerns. Whether this move will ease the path to citizenship for those seeking refuge and how it will impact the political landscape remains to be seen.
In conclusion, the CAA’s impending implementation, coupled with the use of online platforms for citizenship applications, sets the stage for a dynamic and potentially transformative period in Indian politics. As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, the CAA becomes a focal point, shaping the discourse and strategies of political players across the spectrum.
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