After Ram Mandir, Modi govt’s next big plan; CAA rules likely to be notified soon

After the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the BJP government is preparing for another big embrace of persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities who migrated to India after facing religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. 

All eyes are on the Union Home Ministry which is preparing to roll out the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019, by framing rules for its implementation by the states—a move that comes ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

The gates were thrown open to the persecuted non-Muslim migrants when the CAA was passed by Parliament in December 2019 and its subsequent Presidential assent. But the law could not be put into action till the framing of the rules by the home ministry allowing the individuals to obtain citizenship.  

With the BJP government ending its five-year term and the model code of conduct coming into force soon for the Lok Sabha polls, government sources said the rules need to be notified to prevent the law from getting lapsed. 

“It is unlikely the government will allow the law to lapse,” said an official. 

The government has faced protests in several states over the CAA issue in the past. At the moment, the focus is on the last session of Parliament which begins on February 1 for the smooth passage of the budget. Sources said the CAA rules are ready and it is only a matter of time before they are released by the home ministry. 

Once the CAA rules are framed by the MHA, applications for citizenship to those covered under the law can be admitted by states. Sources said the attempt is to make the entire system online so that people can apply for citizenship from their place of stay. 

Government sources said they expect some protests in states such as Assam, West Bengal and Delhi but adequate steps have been taken over the last several months to remove any reservations on the issue. MHA sources said CAA does not take away citizenship of any religion or community, rather it enables the persecuted members of these religions living in neighbouring countries who have suffered over the years to apply for citizenship. 

“The rights of such persons to practise their religion have been either been taken away or impacted negatively in these countries,” said a government official. 

All eyes are now on whether the government takes the next step to roll out the CAA before the Lok Sabha polls.