Learn about the expanded rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which allows a broader range of documents to prove eligibility for Indian citizenship.
Table of Contents
What is the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 (CAA)?
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) is a law enacted by the Indian government to grant Indian nationality to persecuted minorities—Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians—from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.
What recent changes have been made to the CAA rules?
The Union Home Ministry has expanded the rules under the CAA, allowing a broader range of documents to be accepted as proof of an applicant’s lineage.
Now, “any document” issued by the central or state governments or a quasi-judicial body in India proving that either of the applicant’s parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents was a citizen of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan will be considered valid for citizenship applications.
Why was this clarification necessary?
This clarification was issued because many applicants needed help due to the original Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 clause, which limited the types of acceptable documents.
The latest clarification ensures that a wider variety of documents, such as land records or judicial orders, can be used to establish the applicant’s eligibility for Indian citizenship.
What documents are now acceptable under the expanded CAA rules?
Under the latest clarification, acceptable documents can include any records issued by the central or state government or a quasi-judicial body demonstrating the applicant’s lineage.
Examples include land records, judicial orders, or other official documents identifying or representing that the applicant, or their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents, were nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan.
How does this impact those applying for citizenship under the CAA?
The expanded rules make it easier for eligible individuals to apply for Indian citizenship by allowing a broader range of documents to prove their eligibility.
This is expected to streamline the application process and reduce applicants’ challenges.
What has been the response to the CAA since its enactment?
The CAA, enacted in December 2019, sparked widespread protests across India, with many critics labeling the law as “discriminatory.”
Over a hundred people lost their lives during these protests or in related police actions.
Despite the controversy, the government has implemented the CAA, and citizenship is now being granted to eligible individuals from the three specified countries.
When did the government start granting citizenship under the CAA?
Although the CAA was enacted in December 2019 and received presidential assent, the rules under which Indian citizenship would be granted were only issued on March 11, 2024, after a delay of more than four years.
The government began granting citizenship under the CAA in May 2024.
Conclusion
The expanded rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 aim to make it easier for eligible individuals to obtain Indian citizenship by accepting a more comprehensive range of documents as proof.
While the CAA remains controversial, these changes are designed to address applicants’ practical challenges and streamline the citizenship application process.
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