[News Terms] India Ahead of General Election, Controversy Over 'Citizenship Amendment Act'

Anti-Muslim Law, 'Election Victory Trick' Enforced
"Concerns Over Islam Discrimination and Revocation of Muslim Citizens' Rights"

The 'Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)' is a law that grants Indian citizenship to followers of six religions?Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, Parsiism, and Christianity?who fled religious persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan and have been residing illegally in India since before December 31, 2014. In 2019, the amendment to the 64-year-old citizenship law, which previously did not allow Indian citizenship to illegal immigrants (residents), passed both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

The problem arose when Islam was excluded from the scope of the CAA, leading to widespread criticism that the law was discriminatory and anti-Muslim. After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, passed the CAA in Parliament, protests erupted across the country, including in New Delhi, resulting in violent clashes between protesters and police. Dozens were killed and hundreds injured. Consequently, the Indian government had no choice but to postpone the implementation of the CAA.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (front row).
[Photo by AFP New Delhi/ Yonhap News]

However, recently, the Indian government announced the full implementation of the CAA ahead of next month's general elections, sparking controversy. Opposition parties criticized the government for deliberately enforcing an anti-Muslim law that discriminates against the approximately 200 million Muslims in India. Protests against the law have been held across India, raising concerns that the 2019 situation may be repeated.

On the 11th (local time), the Ministry of Home Affairs of India issued a statement announcing the implementation of the CAA. Home Minister Amit Shah said, "We will enable minority groups persecuted for their religion in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to obtain citizenship in our country," adding, "We will provide a dignified life to those who have suffered for decades."

Opposition parties and Islamic human rights organizations criticized the Modi government for announcing the CAA implementation rules ahead of the general election, calling it a clear political maneuver. They claimed it was a trick to secure victory in the election. Mamata Banerjee, former leader of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), pointed out at a press conference, "After extending the bill several times over four years, implementing it just 2-3 days before the election date announcement shows that the law is being enforced for political reasons."

Prime Minister Modi has been criticized for deliberately pursuing pro-Hindu policies to consolidate his political position and oppressing Muslims. In fact, the Modi government revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, where Muslims make up two-thirds of the population, in August 2019, and in 2022 banned the wearing of hijabs in some regional schools. In January, he personally presided over the consecration ceremony of the new Hindu temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, a flashpoint of Hindu-Muslim conflict, to rally Hindu voters.

India is the third country in the world with the largest Muslim population, consisting of 80% Hindus and 15% Muslims (about 180 million people). Human rights organizations are concerned that with the implementation of the CAA, the Indian government may not only discriminate against the Muslim population but also, in severe cases, revoke the citizenship of Muslims.