On December 9, 2019, the CAA Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha's Winter Session. The Rajya Sabha on December 11, 2019 passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) with 125 MPs voting in favour of it and 99 who voted against it. President Ram Nath Kovind signed it on December 12, when it finally became an amendment in the Indian constitution.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAA) was made with the purpose to offer citizenship to the people from  minority communities in countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who have been illegally living in India. The six minority groups that have been specifically identified are Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians and Parsis. The Bill aims to change the definition of illegal migrants to legal citizens. The CAA earlier faced massive protests in parts of the country in late 2019 and early 2020, months before the Covid outbreak forced the implementation lockdowns and other restrictions. The law was criticised as discriminatory as it makes religion a factor for nationality.

However, Recently, Speaking at a public rally in Siliguri in Bengal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of "spreading rumours" that the new citizenship law would not be implemented. Amit Shah in his speech was seen saying that the current government of West Bengal and CM Mamta Banerjee  is spreading rumors the bill won’t be implemented, However Amit Shah mentioned that CAA is a reality and will be implemented soon after the covid-19 pandemic is over. Shah in his speech also mentioned that, The TMC government of West Bengal can do nothing about the implementation of the newly imposed CAA law.

Anyway, what do you think about the implementation of CAA and Amit Shah’s latest statement on it? Do mention your thoughts in the comment section below.

Tags

• CAA
• CAB
• NRC
• Migrants
• Amit Shah
• Mamta Banerjee

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