Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) Implemented by Centre Ahead of Lok Sabha Polls

New Delhi: The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has finally been put into effect by the Centre, marking its implementation five years after its clearance in Parliament. This development precedes the anticipated announcement of Lok Sabha election dates by the Election Commission of India.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will be notifying today, the Rules under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019). These rules, called the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 will enable the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for grant of Indian citizenship. (1/2)

— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) March 11, 2024

Last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated his commitment to executing the CAA before this year’s Lok Sabha elections, following the formulation and issuance of the necessary rules.

Passed by Parliament on December 11, 2019, the CAA has been a contentious subject, sparking widespread debates and protests across India. The amendment aims to modify the Citizenship Act of 1955, offering an expedited route to Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants – including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians – who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

Notably, locations like Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh witnessed prolonged sit-ins, while protest gatherings unfolded in Guwahati, Assam. However, these demonstrations gradually subsided amidst the Covid-related restrictions and lockdown measures.

Despite being passed by Parliament four years ago, the implementation of the CAA was delayed due to pending finalization of rules and procedural details.