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Modi may put brakes on citizenship legislation

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Subject

Controversy over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Significance

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), passed by parliament last week, has prompted protests and rioting across India. The act facilitates claiming of Indian citizenship by non-Muslim illegal migrants from neighbouring South Asian countries. Some critics believe it fosters religious discrimination while others fear increased migration to areas such as the north-east. President Ram Nath Kovind has signed the act into law, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has yet to give official notification of it.

Impacts

  • As protests over the CAA continue, Delhi will face growing external criticism over instances of heavy-handed policing.
  • A prolonged delay by the Supreme Court in passing judgement on the CAA would undermine confidence in India’s judiciary.
  • India-Bangladesh ties will come under considerable strain over the legislation, possibly pushing Dhaka closer to Beijing.

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