The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Central and Assam government regarding a plea challenging the recently notified citizenship amendment rules. The rules aim to regulate the process of granting citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. A lawyer representing petitioner Hiren Gohain, a respected intellectual from Assam, presented arguments to the bench consisting of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala. The petition asserts that the unchecked influx of illegal migrants into Assam has led to indigenous people becoming a minority in their own land.
Citizenship Amendment Rules: Supreme Court Issues Notices to Central and Assam Governments
The Supreme Court of India has issued notices to the Central and Assam governments in response to a petition challenging the newly notified Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) (Amendment) Rules, 2023.
Background
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, grants citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014. In December 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the CAA Rules, which provide the framework for implementing the Act.
Petitioner's Arguments
The petition, filed by respected Assamese intellectual Hiren Gohain, argues that the unchecked influx of illegal migrants into Assam has led to indigenous people becoming a minority in their own land. The petitioner contends that the CAA and its rules will exacerbate this issue by regularizing the citizenship of non-Muslim migrants who entered the state after the cutoff date of December 31, 2014.
Supreme Court Hearing
The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, has issued notices to the Central and Assam governments and directed them to file their responses by March 17, 2023. The court has also sought assistance from the Attorney General of India and Solicitor General of India in the matter.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What are the Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2023? The Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2023, provide the framework for implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019. The rules regulate the process of granting citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
2. Why is the petition challenging the Citizenship Amendment Rules? The petition argues that the rules will exacerbate the issue of illegal migration into Assam, which has led to indigenous people becoming a minority in their own land.
3. What is the Supreme Court's next step in the case? The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Central and Assam governments and directed them to file their responses by March 17, 2023. The court has also sought assistance from the Attorney General of India and Solicitor General of India.
4. What are the possible outcomes of the case? The Supreme Court could uphold the Citizenship Amendment Rules, strike them down, or issue a modified version. The outcome will have implications for the status of non-Muslim migrants in Assam and other parts of India.
5. What is the background of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019? The CAA was passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2019 to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014. The Act has been criticized by some who argue that it discriminates against Muslim migrants and goes against the secular principles of the Indian Constitution.
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