In a significant development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has issued new directives for the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Notably, cases against Hindu Bengalis under the Foreigners Tribunal have been dropped, as many of them claim to be citizens who entered before 1971 and therefore do not wish to apply under the new law.
During a press conference, Sarma mentioned that most Hindu Bengalis prefer to prove their citizenship status in court rather than applying under the CAA. According to a home department order, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis, Jains, and Buddhists from Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, are eligible to apply for citizenship. Consequently, the border police may not forward their cases to the Foreigners Tribunal.
The central government will determine their citizenship based on the facts and circumstances of each case, and a separate register will be maintained for these cases. However, this provision does not apply to those who entered India from these countries after December 31, 2014, regardless of their faith.
Sarma stated, “So far, only two people have applied. Anyone who arrived in India before 2015 under the CAA has the first right to apply for citizenship. If they do not apply, we will lodge a case for them. This is a statutory instruction. We will deport those who came after 2015. Out of five applications, three individuals were not present at the hearing, and only two have applied under the CAA.”
