I thought I must remove doubts that many people might have regarding the just-passed Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) passed by the Parliament. Here are a few frequently-asked-questions (FAQs)
and their answers.
1. Does the CAB affect Indians (Hindus, Muslims, anyone)?
No. It has nothing to do with Indians in any way.
2. Whom does it apply to?
Only to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and Chtristians from 3 countries - who are facing
religious persecution - in those countries and who are already in India before 01 Dec 2014.
3. Which three countries?
Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
4. In what way does it benefit Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Christians from these three countries?
Their residency requirement has been reduced from 11 years to 5 years. They can claim
citizenship as a right under this law.
5. Does this mean that Muslims from these three countries can never get Indian citizenship?
No. But they will go through the usual process of acquiring citizenship through naturalization
rules......11 years of residence etc..
6. Will illegal Muslim immigrants from these 3 countries be automatically deported under this
Bill?
No. The usual process applies. Their application for naturalization may or may not be granted
depending on their eligibility.
7. Can Hindus facing persecution in other countries apply under this law?
No.
8. Does this Bill apply to other forms of persecution - political, racial, sexual etc?
No. The Bill is very specific in its intend - Hindus....religious persecution....3 countries.
9. Why only these three countries? And why only religious persecution of Hindus?
These 3 countries have a track record of pervasive, systematic and institutionalised persecution
of Hindus.
10. What about Sri Lankan Tamils?
(a) the war has been over for a decade now.
(b) There never was any persecution on religious lines. It was on racial lines.
And for over the decades of civil war, the Sri Lankans have put an end to institutionalised
discrimination of Tamils.
11. Doesn't India have an obligation under the UN to take care of refugees?
Yes, it does. And it is not shying away from it. But it has no obligation to offer citizenship.
Each country has its own rules for naturalization. India is not going to turn away other refugees
under this law. It will play host to them under the UN rules, in the implicit expectation that some
day they will return to their homelands when the conditions improve.
12. Why shouldn't Baluchis and Ahmediyas in Pakistan, Rohingyas in Myanmar not be
considered for this kindness?
They will be considered under the existing laws, not under the special category.
Note. Thus we find that it does not affect anyone of us within India but agitations, egged on by certain mischievous elements, continue. Governments of non-BJP states pass resolutions against the CAA in their Assemblies. If it's not affecting anyone, why are we fighting against it? A mischief in the making?
Tailpiece.
It was another quiet day when we went about doing our usual work. Sorted out a few problems for people whom I'd promised. Glad that I was able to do them!
and their answers.
1. Does the CAB affect Indians (Hindus, Muslims, anyone)?
No. It has nothing to do with Indians in any way.
2. Whom does it apply to?
Only to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and Chtristians from 3 countries - who are facing
religious persecution - in those countries and who are already in India before 01 Dec 2014.
3. Which three countries?
Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
4. In what way does it benefit Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Christians from these three countries?
Their residency requirement has been reduced from 11 years to 5 years. They can claim
citizenship as a right under this law.
5. Does this mean that Muslims from these three countries can never get Indian citizenship?
No. But they will go through the usual process of acquiring citizenship through naturalization
rules......11 years of residence etc..
6. Will illegal Muslim immigrants from these 3 countries be automatically deported under this
Bill?
No. The usual process applies. Their application for naturalization may or may not be granted
depending on their eligibility.
7. Can Hindus facing persecution in other countries apply under this law?
No.
8. Does this Bill apply to other forms of persecution - political, racial, sexual etc?
No. The Bill is very specific in its intend - Hindus....religious persecution....3 countries.
9. Why only these three countries? And why only religious persecution of Hindus?
These 3 countries have a track record of pervasive, systematic and institutionalised persecution
of Hindus.
10. What about Sri Lankan Tamils?
(a) the war has been over for a decade now.
(b) There never was any persecution on religious lines. It was on racial lines.
And for over the decades of civil war, the Sri Lankans have put an end to institutionalised
discrimination of Tamils.
11. Doesn't India have an obligation under the UN to take care of refugees?
Yes, it does. And it is not shying away from it. But it has no obligation to offer citizenship.
Each country has its own rules for naturalization. India is not going to turn away other refugees
under this law. It will play host to them under the UN rules, in the implicit expectation that some
day they will return to their homelands when the conditions improve.
12. Why shouldn't Baluchis and Ahmediyas in Pakistan, Rohingyas in Myanmar not be
considered for this kindness?
They will be considered under the existing laws, not under the special category.
Note. Thus we find that it does not affect anyone of us within India but agitations, egged on by certain mischievous elements, continue. Governments of non-BJP states pass resolutions against the CAA in their Assemblies. If it's not affecting anyone, why are we fighting against it? A mischief in the making?
Tailpiece.
It was another quiet day when we went about doing our usual work. Sorted out a few problems for people whom I'd promised. Glad that I was able to do them!
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