NEWDELHI February 10, 2024:In a press conference today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the imminent implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Shah clarified that the CAA, enacted by the Narendra Modi government, is set to be fully enforced, dispelling any confusion surrounding the law.
Addressing concerns, particularly among the Muslim community, Shah assured that the CAA would not strip anyone of their citizenship. He emphasized that the act is designed to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014. This includes Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians.
Despite being passed by Parliament in December 2019 and receiving presidential assent, the implementation of the CAA has faced delays, sparking protests in various parts of India. Shah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing the act, emphasizing that its primary purpose is to provide citizenship rather than take it away.
Amit Shah also addressed historical promises made to refugees, accusing the Congress government of backtracking on assurances to provide Indian citizenship to those persecuted after the partition of the country. He underscored that the CAA is a means of honoring these commitments and fulfilling past pledges.
As the nation gears up for the Lok Sabha elections, Shah framed the upcoming polls as a choice between corruption and development. The full implementation of the CAA is expected to be a focal point of discussion during the electoral campaign, with its potential impact on various communities and the broader political landscape coming into focus.
The Home Minister’s announcement comes at a crucial juncture, setting the stage for heightened debates and discussions on the CAA as the nation prepares to cast its votes in the upcoming elections.
