Confused between two different narratives on CAA? Read a simple explanation through FAQ's

1. For the first time citizenship is being given based upon religion through CAA. This is against secularism

Response - Earlier also we have given citizenship to religiously persecuted Sri Lankan Tamils. Principle of secularism implies that the Indian state won't discriminate between it's existing citizens on the basis of religion. But, the Indian state has complete authority to decide citizenship of non-Indians based upon multiple factors like national security, impact on demography and most importantly, their intention behind request of citizenship. Through CAA, citizenship will be provided to refugees from religiously persecuted minorities from three neighbouring countries Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who have entered India without a formal procedure before December 31, 2014.

2. Why illegal migrants from this three nations belonging to Muslim community are not covered in CAA?

Response - All three countries i.e. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan were part of India at some point in history. It is natural that this places followed the Indian culture of 'Sarva Dharma Sadbhav' i.e. acceptance and peaceful co-existence of all religions. This was the only reason that  people from different religions stayed together. But, this changed when they became separate countries with Islam as their constitutionally state religion. The percentage of minority communities reduced drastically as they were either killed or forcibly converted to Islam. Hence, refugees of minority religions from this three countries are covered under this act and not the illegal immigrants from the majority religion i.e. Islam who have entered India only to secure a job. Also, please note that still Muslims from three nations can apply for Indian citizenship through different provisions of Citizenship Act. Hundreds have been given citizenship earlier, but on a case to case basis.

3. Why Jews from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan also not covered through CAA?

Response - Jews have already fled to Israel fearing religious prosecution. There are no Jews left in this three nations. Except India, Jews have faced religious persecution from most of the countries in this world.

4. Why religious persecution from other countries like China, Srilanka and Myanmar not covered?

Response - We have already given citizenship to Tibetan Buddists and Srilankan Tamils when they had fled their respective countries. Regarding citizenship of Rohingyas of Myanmar, Bangladesh has already accepted them. Also, the nature of conflict between Rohingya Muslims and Myanmar Buddhists is not one-sided. There have been enough evidence that Rohingya Muslims too have violently attacked Buddhists in Myanmar. Infact, many have been involved in terror activities. No sane Indian would think of opening doors of our nation to anyone who can become great danger to our national security.

5. Is the cut-off date before which the members of the minority community should have entered India, has been set arbitrarily.

Response - No, the act mentions that the members of the minority community from this three countries should have spent atleast 5 years residing in India. As the final bill was passed in 2019, December 31, 2014 is the cut-off date.

6. There would be constrain on our resources when millions would be provided citizenship.

Response - The millions that are being provided citizenship, are already living in India. Mostly, they are from economically poor community belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories. It is unfortunate that it took so many decades to give citizenship to them. It is beyond our imagination to understand the hardships that they have faced without citizenship. Still, to ensure that there is no strain on our resources especially the North-Eastern region, central government can plan for their uniform distribution across India.

At the end, I have two questions to anti-CAA protesters.

1. Is the opposition to CAA only because CAA highlights that there has been religious persecution of minority community in three Islamic nations?

2. If you are against citizenship to refugees from minority communities of this three nations, then indirectly you are supporting deportation of them back to their original nation which they have fled in fear. Is this humanitarian?