The government’s decision to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, just ahead of the anticipated general election announcement, is viewed as a strategic move by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to capitalize on a divisive issue in the upcoming poll campaign. Widely contested, particularly by the Muslim community, the CAA introduces a religion-based criterion for granting citizenship to immigrants from select countries, sparking legal challenges in the Supreme Court of India.
Enacted in 2019, the CAA remained dormant until now, with the government withholding notification of operational rules. The timing of its implementation, amidst scrutiny over electoral bonds controversy, raises suspicions of diversionary tactics. The unveiling of rules coincided with public queries regarding delayed disclosures on anonymous electoral bond purchasers and redeemers, prompting questions about the sudden urgency in implementing a dormant law.
Despite claims that the CAA primarily facilitates citizenship for persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, critics highlight its discriminatory nature, favoring specific religious communities. Concerns also arise from its association with the National Register of Citizens, stoking fears among Muslims regarding potential citizenship loss without adequate documentation.
While the essence of the CAA may not directly impact minority citizens, its selective provisions and political rhetoric underscore a broader agenda intertwined with religious undertones. The law’s contentions extend beyond its text, reflecting a broader narrative of religious-based policymaking under the Narendra Modi regime.
Amid escalating polarization and apprehensions over discriminatory norms, the implementation of the CAA underscores the intersection of politics and policy, prompting critical scrutiny of the government’s motivations and implications for social cohesion.
