Government notifies implementation of CAA ahead of Lok Sabha polls

New Delhi: The government on Monday notified the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

The notification paves the way for granting Indian Citizenship to persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities on grounds of religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

In a post on "X", Home Ministry spokesperson said, "These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for grant of Indian citizenship".

"The applications will be submitted in a completely online mode for which a web portal has been provided", the spokesperson further said.

Parliament had passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in December 2019.

"Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019, will give a new ray of hope to persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have migrated to India after facing persecution on the ground of religion in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh," Home Minister Amit Shah had said as he piloted the legislation for passing in the Parliament.

Shah had reiterated that the Bill is not against any Minority in India and the rights of each Indian Citizen will be equally protected.

He said that the Narendra Modi government is committed to protect the rights of each citizen of the country.

The BJP leaders and even some Ministers had been dropping hints about the implementation of CAA before the Lok Sabha elections.

There has been reservation against the CAA among certain sections of society.

Given the controversy surrounding it, the government allegedly delayed the implementation by not notifying the rules.

It may be noted that a section of certain communities had earlier come out in protest against the CAA in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh and some other parts of the country as well.