In recent years, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has been the subject of much discussion and debate at the national and international levels. But what exactly is CAA, and why does it lead to such heated conversations? Let us understand it in simple terms.
CAA and NRC
Another issue of controversy surrounding the CAA is its relationship with the National Register of Citizens (NRC), a purported exercise to identify undocumented migrants living in India. Critics fear that the NRC, along with the CAA, could be used to target and exclude Muslims, making them stateless if they fail to prove their citizenship. This fear has led to widespread protests across the country.
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
- CAA is a law passed by the Government of India in 2019.
- It provides a pathway to Indian citizenship for certain religious minorities who came to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh before 2015.
- These religious minorities include Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians.
- The main issue is that it provides citizenship based on religion to certain groups of neighboring countries.
National Register of Citizens (NRC)
- NRC is the process of identifying and registering citizens of India.
- It was first implemented in the state of Assam to identify illegal immigrants especially from Bangladesh.
- It aims to create a list of genuine Indian citizens by verifying documents proving their ancestry and residence.
- If someone’s name is not in the NRC list, it does not mean that they will immediately lose their citizenship. They can appeal and provide additional documents.
Difference:
– CAA is to grant citizenship to specific groups of neighboring countries on the basis of religion, while NRC is to recognize citizens within India irrespective of religion.
In short, the CAA deals with the granting of citizenship based on religious persecution, while the NRC focuses on determining the citizenship status of all residents of India, regardless of religion, by examining their records
What is CAA?
The Citizenship Amendment Act, passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2019, aims to provide fast-track citizenship to persecuted minorities – Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians – in neighboring Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. India before 31 December 2014.
Why is this controversial?
The controversy surrounding the CAA stems from its exclusionary nature. Critics argue that by granting selective citizenship on the basis of religion, the Act violates the secular principles enshrined in India’s constitution. They are concerned that it discriminates against Muslims who are not included in the list of eligible religious groups, leading to accusations of religious bias and marginalization of India’s Muslim community.
"Shaheen Bagh Protests"
“Bagh protests” refers to a series of demonstrations held at various locations across India inspired by the initial protests at Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh. The word “bagh” translates to “garden” in Hindi/Urdu and became a symbolic suffix for protest spaces such as Shaheen Bagh.
The Shaheen Bagh protest started in December 2019 and attracted significant attention due to its unique characteristics. It mainly involved women who occupied a major road in South Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh area for more than three months. The protest venue was decorated with banners, posters and artworks protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR).
The protesters, mainly Muslim women, along with people from different religious and socio-economic backgrounds sat in a peaceful protest against the CAA and related policies. They argued that the CAA, by granting citizenship based on religious identity and potentially leading to the exclusion of Muslims, violates the secular principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
The Shaheen Bagh protests became a symbol of protest and solidarity, garnering support across India and attracting international attention. This prompted similar protests in various “tiger” locations in other cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. These protests adopted similar tactics of peaceful sit-ins and became the focus of resentment against the CAA and perceived threats to India’s secular ethos.
The Bagh protests underscored the power of grassroots mobilization, especially by marginalized communities, in shaping public debate and holding officials accountable. Although the Shaheen Bagh protests eventually ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown measures, its legacy continues to reverberate in ongoing debates about citizenship, identity and democracy in India.
Delhi Riots
The Delhi riots refer to a series of violent clashes that took place in parts of Northeast Delhi in February 2020. It was a tumultuous and turbulent time for the city, leaving a trail of fear and division.
The riots had erupted in the backdrop of tensions over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which had sparked nationwide debate and protests. In Northeast Delhi, these tensions led to full-scale violence, with clashes between groups with different views on the CAA.
The situation quickly spiraled out of control with reports of groups attacking each other, pelting stones and setting shops, houses and vehicles on fire. Sadly, many lives were lost and many were injured in the chaos and destruction.
The situation has become even more tragic by targeting individuals on the basis of their religion or identity. There were reports that mosques were vandalized, homes were set on fire, and people were brutally attacked because of their faith or background.
The Delhi riots had a deep impact on the affected communities, creating fear and distrust among residents. Families were torn apart, livelihoods destroyed and the social fabric of the city torn apart.
After the riots, demands for justice and accountability arose. Questions were raised about the role of law enforcement in preventing and responding to violence, as well as the need for long-term efforts to heal wounds and rebuild trust between communities.
The Delhi riots are a reminder of the fragility of peace and the importance of promoting understanding, tolerance and compassion in our society. He emphasizes the need for dialogue, compassion and solidarity in addressing grievances and resolving conflicts so that we can strive towards a future where such senseless violence is a thing of the past.
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