The Citizenship(amendment) bill  2019 is being introduced in Lok Sabha in December 2019. The 2019 Bill seeks to make illegal migrants who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, eligible for citizenship.

The Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019: Explained in Detail

The Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 (CAB) is a proposed amendment to the Citizenship Act of 1955 in India. It seeks to grant Indian citizenship to certain religious minorities who have faced persecution in neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The bill was passed by both houses of the Indian Parliament and received presidential assent on December 12, 2019, becoming the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Key Features of the Citizenship Amendment Act:
- The CAA grants Indian citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
- The applicants must have resided in India for at least five years before becoming eligible for citizenship.
- The CAA also relaxes the requirement of residence for naturalization from 11 years to 5 years for these specific religious minority immigrants.

Controversies and Arguments:
The Citizenship Amendment Act has sparked widespread debates and protests across India. Critics argue that the bill is discriminatory as it excludes Muslim immigrants from its provisions, which violates the principles of equality and secularism enshrined in the Indian Constitution. They believe that the CAA is an attempt by the government to marginalize and target the Muslim community.

Supporters of the CAA argue that it is a humanitarian gesture aimed at granting citizenship to religiously persecuted minorities. They claim that the bill does not take away existing rights from any Indian citizen, including Muslims. The government argues that the CAA is necessary to protect the interests of religious minorities who have faced persecution in neighboring countries.

Protests and Legal Challenges:
Since the passage of the CAA, protests have erupted in various parts of India. Critics argue that the bill is unconstitutional and violates the principles of secularism and equality. Several petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the CAA. However, the court has not yet given a final verdict on the matter.

The Assam Accord and Exemptions:
One of the concerns raised by opponents of the CAA is its potential impact on the demography of northeastern states, particularly Assam. In order to address this concern, the government has provided exemptions for areas covered under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and areas covered by the Inner Line Permit system.

Conclusion:
The Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 aims to provide citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from neighboring countries. However, it has become a contentious issue due to its exclusion of Muslims and the potential impact on the secular fabric of India. The matter is currently being debated and challenged in the courts, and the final verdict will determine the fate of the CAA.