The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India has sparked controversy for its perceived discrimination against Muslims. On Wednesday, the country granted citizenship to the first batch of 14 individuals under this law.
The CAA offers citizenship to Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians who fled religious persecution in Muslim-majority Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan before December 31, 2014.
Although enacted in 2019, the law faced delays in implementation due to widespread protests and sectarian violence, resulting in numerous casualties in New Delhi and other areas.
In March, India put the act into effect ahead of the ongoing elections, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are vying for a third consecutive term.
Both refute claims that CAA discriminates against Muslims. With four phases of the seven-phase election already completed, votes will be tallied on June 4.
According to a statement from the home ministry on Wednesday, the recipients underwent document verification and were administered the oath of allegiance, although their identities were not disclosed.
India, with a Hindu majority, boasts the world’s third-largest Muslim population, totalling 200 million people.
Humanitarian or Political Interest?
Critics, including rights and opposition groups, have accused Modi’s government and the BJP of singling out the minority community and perpetuating systematic discrimination to advance the party’s core Hindu revivalist agenda.
Modi and the BJP refute these allegations, asserting that they strive for the well-being of all communities.
They maintain that the citizenship law merely facilitates a better life for non-Muslim refugees and is intended to grant citizenship, not revoke it from anyone.
They emphasise that Muslim refugees can apply for citizenship through the standard citizenship procedures.
Expressing what it means to him after receiving citizenship, Harish Kumar, a Hindu refugee from Pakistan residing in Delhi for over a decade, likened the experience to being reborn.
He emphasised the newfound opportunities for education and employment now available to him.
The Indian elections, which commenced on April 19 in a seven-phase process, initially saw Modi highlighting his economic achievements, governance, and popularity.
However, he shifted his focus towards accusing the main opposition Congress party of favoring Muslims after the first phase.
This shift in strategy is perceived by analysts as an attempt to energise the BJP’s Hindu nationalist support base, particularly following concerns over a low voter turnout in the initial phase, which raised doubts about the BJP’s prospects of securing the landslide victory it seeks.
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