The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) is a highly contentious and debated law that was passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2019. The law amends the Citizenship Act of 1955 and grants Indian citizenship to certain categories of non-Muslim immigrants from three neighboring countries: Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.


Here are the key points about the CAA:


1. Eligibility Criteria: The CAA provides a pathway to Indian citizenship for Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. Muslims from these countries are not included in the provisions of the law.


2. Purpose: The stated objective of the CAA is to grant citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from the aforementioned countries. The government argues that these minorities faced religious persecution in their home countries, which are Islamic republics, and should be granted refuge in India.


3. Cut-off Date: The cut-off date for eligibility under the CAA is December 31, 2014. Immigrants from the specified countries who entered India on or before this date and have lived in the country for a minimum of five years are eligible to apply for citizenship.


4. Exemption from the Term "Illegal Immigrant": The CAA exempts the eligible immigrants from being classified as "illegal immigrants" under existing laws. This allows them to apply for Indian citizenship through a simplified process, bypassing certain requirements.


5. Constitutional Challenge: The CAA has faced several legal challenges, with petitions filed in the Supreme Court of India questioning its constitutional validity. Critics argue that the law violates the fundamental principles of secularism and equality enshrined in the Indian Constitution by discriminating on the basis of religion.


6. Nationwide Protests: The CAA sparked widespread protests across India, with concerns raised about its potential impact on India's secular fabric and its implications for the Muslim community. There were also fears that the CAA, coupled with a proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC), could render many Muslims stateless.


7. Implementation: While the CAA has been enacted, its implementation has been stalled due to the legal challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. The rules and procedures for granting citizenship under the CAA have not yet been formulated by the government.


The CAA has polarized opinion in India, with supporters arguing that it provides refuge to persecuted minorities and critics contending that it violates the principles of secularism and equality. The ongoing legal challenges and debates surrounding the law continue to shape the discourse on citizenship, human rights, and India's constitutional values.