Citizenship Amendment Act: MHA clears up myths regarding legislation

MHA clears up "myths" regarding Citizenship Amendment Act

In order address the concerns around the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) implemented on March 11, The Union government released a list of mythbusters, emphasizing their commitment to safeguard rights of Indian citizens irrespective of their religion.

The CAA aims to provide a generous and compassionate approach towards those who faced religious persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan by enabling to seek Indian citizenship, according to a statement from the home ministry.

Ministry of Home Affairs said: “Indian Muslims need not worry as CAA has not made any provision to impact their citizenship and has nothing to do with the present 18 crore Indian Muslims, who have equal rights like their Hindu counterparts. No Indian citizen would be asked to produce any document to prove his citizenship after this Act.”

Clearing the doubts about repatriating illegal Muslim migrants, the government said, “Citizenship Act doesn’t deal with the deportation of illegal immigrants.”

Additionally, it says that the CAA defines illegal migrant as a foreigner who has entered India without valid documents regardless of their religion and allows refugees from anywhere in the world to seek Indian Citizenship

Is there any bar for Muslims from seeking Indian citizenship?

No. There is no bar on Muslims from anywhere in the world to seek Indian Citizenship under Section 6 of the Citizenship Act, which deals with the citizenship by naturalisation.

What is the need of the amendment?

To show the mercy on the persecuted minorities of those three countries, this Act gives opportunity to them as per the evergreen generous culture of India to get Indian Citizenship for their happy and prosperous future. To customise the Citizenship system and control the illegal migrants, there was need of this Act.

What are the previous initiatives of the Government?

In 2016, the Central Govt. also made minorities of those three countries eligible for long term Visa to stay in India.

Is there any restriction for Muslim migrants from any foreign country?

CAA does not cancel the naturalisation laws. Therefore, any person including the Muslim migrants from any foreign country, seeking to be an Indian citizen, can apply for the same under the existing laws. This Act does not prevent any Muslim, who is persecuted in those three Islamic countries for practicing their version of Islam, from applying for Indian citizenship under the existing laws.