Citizenship Amendment Act
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), enacted in India in December 2019, provides a pathway to Indian citizenship for non-Muslim refugees—specifically Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—who fled religious persecution from neighboring countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The law aims to protect these communities and fast-track their citizenship applications. However, the CAA has been controversial, with critics arguing that it discriminates against Muslims and violates India's secular principles. Protests erupted across the country, leading to ongoing debates about citizenship, religious identity, and national unity in India.
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The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019 is an Indian law that grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from three neighboring countries: Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, who fled religious persecution before December 31, 2014. The groups mentioned include Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians. The CAA has sparked widespread debate and protests in India, with critics arguing it contradicts the secular principles of the Indian Constitution by excluding Muslims, while supporters claim it's a humanitarian measure. The law has raised questions about citizenship, identity, and the role of religion in India's national policies.