CAA Rules: Why the Centre took over 4 years to frame rules for citizenship law after notification?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah. (File Photo)

The rollout of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, faced a significant delay of exactly four years and three months before the Centre finalised the necessary rules for its implementation. This prolonged timeframe, particularly considering the government's emphasis on decisive governance, underscores a substantial administrative hurdle in realising the objectives outlined by the CAA.

Covid-19 Delays CAA Implementation

Parliament granted approval to the Act on December 9, 2019, promptly followed by presidential assent a mere three days later. However, the implementation process faced setbacks, aggravated notably by the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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CAA Sparks Nationwide Protests

Furthermore, the Act, perceived by many as discriminatory against Muslims, sparked widespread protests across the nation, leading the government to suspend its notification process. As the delay in the issuance of its rules persisted, opposition parties criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for primarily brining the issue in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April-May, potentially with the intention of polarising voters.

CAA Rules Before Lok Sabha Polls

Discussions surrounding the implementation of the CAA resurfaced in December of last year, when Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the implementation of the new citizenship law could not be halted as it stands as the law of the land. He had also said the rules will be notified before the announcement of Lok Sabha elections. Additionally, he asserted that the accompanying rules would be notified before the announcement of Lok Sabha elections.

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Analysts Predict Electoral Gains for BJP

Analysts suggest that the notification of the CAA is poised to offer electoral benefits to the BJP, especially in border states like West Bengal and Assam, where the persistent issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh has fuelled political debates. Moreover, the implication arises that the CAA might serve as a precursor for an update to the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Hindu Vote Consolidation in Bengal, Assam

They further interpreted the timing of the announcement, just before the general elections, as a carefully calculated strategy aimed at polarising the electorate and cementing Hindu votes in Bengal and Assam. The saffron party is closely monitoring Bengal, which has nearly 30 percent minority population, in an effort to maintain its support among Hindu voters.

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Bengal: Key Electoral Battleground for BJP's Ambitious Goals

With its 42 parliamentary seats, West Bengal emerges as a significant battleground for the BJP, particularly if Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious objective of securing 370 seats in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections is to be realised. In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP clinched 18 seats in the state.

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Matuas Celebrate CAA Implementation as 'Second Independence Day'

The Matua community in Bengal on March 11 celebrated the implementation of the CAA at their headquarters in Thakurnagar, situated in the North 24 Parganas district. For them, this occasion symbolised their "second independence day." The Matuas, originating from East Pakistan, represent a vulnerable Dalit Hindu community that sought refuge in India during the Partition and the subsequent formation of Bangladesh.

Matua Community's Political Influence

With an estimated population of 30 lakh, in the state, the Matua community holds significant political sway and has the potential to tip the scales in favour of a political party in over 30 assembly seats. These seats are predominantly located in the Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas districts, which border Bangladesh.

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CAA Eliminates Pre-1971 Land Document Requirements for Matuas

Union Minister and BJP leader Shantanu Thakur emphasised that all refugees who were compelled to flee their homes due to religious persecution will be granted full-fledged citizenship in India. The minister noted that previously, the Matuas and other refugees were obligated to furnish specific pre-1971 land documents to secure passports. He, however, emphasised that the CAA has effectively nullified these requirements, rendering them obsolete.

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Matuas: From Undocumented Status to Advocacy for Citizenship

The followers of the Matua sect, predominantly comprising members from marginalised farming communities, entered India "illegally" after 1971. Reports suggest that despite their undocumented status, they successfully had their names included on the voter list and predominantly settled in areas spanning Nadia, North 24-Parganas, East Burdwan, and parts of North Bengal. Classified as refugees under the provisions of the 2003 Citizenship Act, they initially aligned with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) and later extended their support to the Trinmool Congress (TMC) for security. Over time, the community led a movement advocating for formal citizenship status.

Matua Community's Shift in Political Support

The Matua community threw its support behind the BJP during the 2019 general election, influenced by assurances of enacting and implementing the law. According to local media reports, the Matua community wields significant influence in determining the electoral results in at least two Lok Sabha constituencies in south Bengal.

In Assam, the CAA is perceived as conflicting with the assurances made to the state in the Assam Accord, which established a cut-off year of 1971 for the recognition of migrants who entered the state.

India: Natural Home for Persecuted Hindus

Political observers point out that the Narendra Modi-led government made an unequivocal commitment to implement the CAA, emphasising India's position as a natural home for persecuted Hindus. This pledge formed a key component of the government's broader agenda, which encompassed three key promises: the construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya, the abrogation of Article 370, and the enactment of a Uniform Civil Code.

Mamata Banerjee Vows to Oppose CAA

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared March 11 that she would vehemently oppose the CAA if she perceived it to be discriminatory against certain groups of people residing in India and if it infringed upon their existing citizenship rights in any way.

Mamata Redirects Efforts to Secure Support from Muslims

As Mamata seeks to regain the support of the Matua community, her primary focus is expected to be on securing maximum support from the Muslim electorate, which constitutes approximately 30 percent of the voting population in Bengal. Muslims hold significant sway in 13 out of the state's 42 Lok Sabha constituencies.