After more than two months since the announcement of regulations for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued the first batch of citizenship certificates under the law to 14 individuals. The Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, personally handed over these certificates to the applicants.
On March 11, the Centre officially notified the Rules for The Citizenship Amendment Act, thereby paving the way for the implementation of the controversial law that was passed by Parliament in December 2019. Following a thorough scrutiny process by the Empowered Committee in Delhi, citizenship was granted to these 14 applicants.
The Director of Census Operation in Delhi oversaw the process and issued the certificates accordingly. This marks the initial issuance of citizenship certificates subsequent to the notification of Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024. During the ceremony held in New Delhi, Bhalla congratulated the recipients and outlined the key provisions of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, passed in December 2019, aimed to expedite the citizenship process for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who faced religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, while excluding Muslims. Despite its enactment four years ago, delays in implementing the CAA occurred due to the delayed notification of rules, sparking widespread protests.
