The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is a significant modification to the Citizenship Act of 1955. Enacted to provide expedited Indian citizenship, it specifically targets persecuted minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who arrived in India from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh on or before December 31, 2014. This legislative move aims to offer a safe haven for those escaping religious persecution in these neighboring countries.
The CAA is designed to assist the six religious minority groups from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who seek refuge in India. It is crucial to note that this act does not affect existing Indian citizens. Muslim migrants are not included, as the CAA focuses on religious minorities from these three Muslim-majority countries experiencing persecution.
The process to acquire citizenship under the CAA is facilitated through an online portal established by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Applicants must declare their entry into India without valid travel documents, along with the year they arrived. This streamlined procedure aims to minimize bureaucratic hurdles, requiring only essential documentation.
The CAA targets Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh due to their respective constitutions, which endorse a state religion, leading to the persecution of other religious communities. This act seeks to extend refuge and citizenship to those fleeing such adverse conditions.
The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is an official record maintained by the Indian government, listing Indian citizens. Initially established in 1951, its primary role is to identify illegal immigrants. It is important to differentiate between the CAA and NRC, as the former provides citizenship to persecuted minorities, whereas the latter verifies the citizenship status of all residents.
The government has clarified that there is no direct link between the CAA and the NRC. While the CAA focuses on granting citizenship to persecuted minorities from specified neighboring nations, the NRC's function is to document and verify the citizenship status of all residents, irrespective of their religion.
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