New Delhi:

Lower than two weeks after the primary set of citizenship certificates have been issued beneath the Citizenship (Modification) Act, the method has additionally begun in West Bengal, the place the implementation of the legislation has been a contentious concern. The Union Dwelling Ministry mentioned Empowered Committees of the States of Haryana and Uttarakhand have additionally granted citizenship to the primary set of candidates. 

The Citizenship (Modification) Act (CAA) was enacted in December 2019 to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. It lowered the qualification interval for Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from these nations, who got here to India on or earlier than December 31, 2014, from eleven years to 5. 

The CAA guidelines have been notified solely in March this yr, nonetheless, after large protests stalled its implementation. 

Throughout his election speeches in West Bengal, PM Narendra Modi has attacked the Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the problem and alleged that “infiltrators” are flourishing within the state beneath the social gathering’s rule. He repeated the cost earlier on Wednesday as effectively. 

“The demography within the border areas of Bengal is being modified. The TMC is towards giving citizenship to religiously persecuted minorities. Why are they opposing the CAA a lot? Why are these folks (TMC leaders) mendacity in regards to the CAA,” he requested at a rally in Bengal’s Kakdwip, his final for the continued Lok Sabha elections. 

Claiming that the social gathering doesn’t need the Hindus and the Matua neighborhood to remain in Bengal, the PM added,  “To appease a piece of the society, the TMC authorities is overtly attacking the Structure, which has given reservations to Dalits and backward castes. Reservations have been looted in West Bengal and false OBC certificates have been issued to Muslims.” 

Hitting again, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee she was “able to sacrifice her life” however wouldn’t permit the “divisive politics” of the BJP such because the CAA, Nationwide Register of Residents (NRC) and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) within the state. 

Addressing a rally at Metiabruz within the Diamond Harbour constituency on Wednesday, she reiterated she wouldn’t permit the implementation of those insurance policies. “If folks don’t need divisive CAA, NRC or UCC that can erase our variety, they need to vote towards the BJP,” she mentioned. 

The Dwelling Ministry mentioned the primary set of candidates from West Bengal have been granted citizenship by the state’s empowered committee.

“Equally, the Empowered Committees of the States of Haryana and Uttarakhand have additionally granted citizenship in the present day to the primary set of candidates of their respective States, beneath the Citizenship (Modification) Guidelines, 2024,” it mentioned. 

The primary-ever set of certificates beneath the legislation was handed over to candidates in New Delhi on Might 15. Their functions have been authorised by the capital territory’s empowered committee.

(With PTI inputs)