The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has amended the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) rules, easing the documentation burden for applicants seeking citizenship under the law. The changes primarily impact individuals from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India before December 31, 2014, and belong to one of the six specified non-Muslim communities.
Previously, applicants were required to submit documents issued by government authorities in their country of origin to establish their roots. The amendment now allows them to provide any document issued by the Indian Central or State government, or any quasi-judicial body in India, that identifies them or their ancestors as nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan.
This change is expected to significantly benefit those who fled to India with minimal documentation, especially in the aftermath of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. It also addresses concerns raised by potential beneficiaries, particularly in West Bengal, who feared the process would render them stateless.
The MHA has communicated these changes to various government departments, emphasizing the facilitative nature of the CAA and urging officials to adopt a lenient approach while processing applications. Additionally, the rules now permit local priests or reputed community institutions to issue certificates verifying an applicant's faith.
The government hopes these changes will expedite the citizenship process for eligible individuals and fulfill the CAA's intended purpose.
