CAA to take effect today; Centre announces plan to notify rules.

After a prolonged period of uncertainty lasting four years, the Indian government has taken a decisive step towards implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019 by announcing its intention to notify the CAA Rules in 2024. This move signals a significant advancement in enacting the contentious legislation that has been suspended.

Initially receiving presidential approval on December 12, 2019, the CAA's activation was stalled due to the lack of essential rules, which left the law unenforceable despite its official publication in the gazette. The act's objective is to facilitate the acquisition of Indian citizenship for individuals from Hindu, Jain, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, and Parsi communities who have migrated to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014. Notably, the legislation explicitly excludes Muslims, leading to widespread protests and a barrage of legal challenges against it.

CAA bill to take effect today

The CAA amends Section 2 of the Citizenship Act of 1955, introducing exceptions for migrants from the specified religious communities from the aforementioned countries, who, under the original act, would have been categorized as "illegal migrants." Consequently, these individuals can now apply for Indian citizenship under the new provisions.

The exclusion of Muslims has ignited intense debate, with critics arguing that it contravenes the principle of equality as enshrined in Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. Despite these controversies and significant public unrest, the Supreme Court of India has not halted the CAA's implementation. Facing numerous petitions, the central government asserts that the CAA does not compromise the rights of Indian citizens and that the standard procedures for foreigners from any nation to obtain Indian citizenship are unaffected.

With the forthcoming notification of the CAA Rules, the law is poised for enforcement, yet its constitutional challenges persist in the Supreme Court. Over 140 petitions contesting the CAA's validity underscore the deep divisions and ongoing debates about this legislation.

As the country approaches the enactment of the CAA, the implications for India's secular ethos and the rights of its citizens are being closely observed. This underscores the intricate interplay of legal, political, and social dynamics within the nation.