Basic Facts about CAA which a layman should know

Introduction 

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is an amendment act of the old Citizenship Act, 1955. It is specially amended for the citizens who are facing religious persecution and have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. It is designed for all sects and religions. Indian Muslims are included in this act because above being a Muslim, they are citizens of India. 

Objective 

The basic objective behind the amendment of the Act is to provide citizenship to those migrants who are facing religious persecution and to remove all illegal migrants from the country. It gives protection to the minority refugees. 

To whom the Act is applicable? 

It is applicable to all sects and religions including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who are facing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to seek Indian Citizenship. 

Any relation to Muslims 

It does not harm the Muslims who are already genuine Indian citizens. The myth which is carried by the Muslims is that by its introduction, they will be removed from the country does not hold true. 

Date Mentioned 

The Government of India has stated that those migrants who are facing religious persecution and are from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh can acquire Indian citizenship who have come to India on or before 31st December, 2014.

Reduction of Years 

As per the amendment, earlier it was stated that persons who are willing to acquire Indian citizenship should have lived in India for 11 years. Now this period has been reduced to 5 years. 

Conclusion 

It is a very good initiative taken by the Indian Government by introducing CAA. It will surely help to remove illegal migrants from the country and carries no myth regarding the Muslims as the confusion is created by them. As Gandhiji has already said that those citizens who are now moving to Pakistan were earlier a part of this country. India would never deny to give citizenship to them.