NEW DELHI: Soon after CAA was enacted in Dec 2019,
violent protests
had broken out in many parts of India, with many terming it a law meant to
disenfranchise
and
deport Muslims
lacking valid
citizenship
papers.
Govt
has repeatedly said CAA will not take away citizenship of any Indian, irrespective of his or her religion. "This Act is only for those who have suffered persecution for years and have no other shelter in the world except India," a senior home ministry official emphasised on Monday.
"It will remove legal barriers to rehabilitation and grant of citizenship to eligible refugees from the three neighbouring countries, giving them a chance to lead dignified lives after decades of suffering.
Citizenship rights will protect their cultural, linguistic and social identity; give them economic rights, including for purchase of property; and enable their free movement," the official added.
Opposition parties criticised govt's decision, which had been anticipated for at least a couple of months now, for its
timing
.
Immigrants eligible under CAA may apply for Indian citizenship by registration or naturalisation in an electronic form, to the empowered committee through the district level committee. The constitution of these two committees was separately notified by govt on Monday. Every application must be accompanied by one of the specified documents to prove that the applicant is a national of Afghanistan, Pakistan or Bangladesh and that s/he entered India before Dec 31, 2014; and an affidavit from the applicant affirming to fulfil the eligibility criteria and giving her/his address in India and the date on which s/he entered India. A copy of the applicant's valid or expired foreign passport or residential permit, if available, may be attached.
Some additional documentation may be required, depending on whether an applicant seeking citizenship by registration is a person of Indian origin, married to a citizen of India, minor child of citizens of India, person whose parents are registered as citizens of India or one of whose parents was a citizen of independent India, or is an OCI cardholder.
The application form must be accompanied by a declaration that the applicant has adequate knowledge of one of the Eighth Schedule languages.
Once an application is submitted, an acknowledgement will be generated. The district level committee shall verify the documents. Once everything is found in order, the designated officer of DLC shall administer oath of allegiance to the applicant. The oath signed by the designated officer will then be forwarded in electronic form to the empowered committee, along with confirmation regarding verification of documents.
The empowered committee will take a call on grant of citizenship.
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