National Desk, 10th February: Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would be notified and enforced before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Emphasizing the Act’s purpose to grant citizenship rather than revoke it, Shah highlighted its aim to provide Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants. The CAA, passed by Parliament in December 2019, seeks to fulfill a longstanding promise to refugees welcomed by India during times of persecution in neighboring countries.
Addressing the ET Now-Global Business Summit in the national capital, Shah underscored the non-contentious nature of the CAA, dismissing misconceptions surrounding its provisions. He clarified that the Act solely aims to offer citizenship to refugees who faced persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, with no provision for stripping anyone of their citizenship.
Asserting the clarity of the CAA’s objectives, Shah addressed concerns raised about its impact on minority communities in India, particularly Muslims. He emphasized that the Act does not target any existing citizens but rather extends a lifeline to those seeking refuge from religious persecution.
Under the provisions of the CAA, persecuted non-Muslim migrants—including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians—from neighboring countries who arrived in India before December 31, 2014, will be granted Indian nationality.
Looking ahead to the electoral landscape, Shah expressed confidence in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) prospects, predicting a resounding victory with expectations of securing 370 seats individually and more than 400 seats collectively with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Furthermore, Shah emphasized that the 2024 polls would not merely be a contest between political alliances but a choice between development and mere rhetoric. Reflecting on the long-awaited construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, he highlighted the collective sentiment of the nation in favor of building the temple at the revered site associated with Lord Ram’s birth, despite past political obstacles.
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