Law that discriminates against Muslims in India comes into effect: Tensions are rising!

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

Protests have erupted in some parts of India due to the Narendra Modi government's implementation of a controversial citizenship law ahead of the general elections. Security forces have blockaded areas in the capital Delhi, which were the epicenters of major demonstrations against the law in the past.

The 'Citizenship Amendment Act' (CAA), which came into effect on Monday, is being described as a test for the country's secular constitutional order because the law contains religion-based definitions of citizenship. Experts say the law discriminates against Muslim refugees.

The amendment accelerates the granting of citizenship to refugees from India's neighboring countries who are Hindu, Sikh, Christian, or from other religious minorities; however, it does not allow for the acquisition of citizenship if they are Muslim. For example, it excludes the Rohingya in Myanmar, the persecuted Ahmadis in Pakistan, or the Hazaras in Afghanistan.

IS THE LAW A RESULT OF POLARIZATION POLITICS?

In the state of Assam, activists from various organizations, including the All Assam Students' Union (AASU), burned copies of the law and called for a statewide boycott on Tuesday. Similar protests are being held by various student groups in other regional states, including Meghalaya and Tripura. Many of these groups criticize the law not because of allegations that it discriminates against Muslims, but because they oppose the influx of refugees from other countries. The reason for this is that the law that has come into effect will make it easier for non-Muslim immigrants to obtain citizenship.

Political scientist and activist Yogendra Yadav, who joined the anti-CAA protests, stated in his statement to Al Jazeera: "The CAA has always been about creating two layers of citizenship in India: non-Muslims and Muslims. Voters are being polarized by the BJP before the elections, but are we surprised?"

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

The Indian Parliament passed the CAA in 2019, but Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government had delayed the implementation of the law since then. During months of protests against the law, the capital Delhi had been the scene of sectarian clashes. More than 100 people, mostly Muslims, had lost their lives in violent incidents across the country.

Following the government's implementation of the law on Monday, protests erupted at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi. As tensions rose, police teams intervened in the demonstrations.