After MHA order, Suvendu Adhikari predicts CAA implementation in WB; TMC scoffs at BJP

After MHA issued an order pertaining to citizenship on October 31, Suvendu hikari predicted that CAA will be implemented in West Bengal soon. As per  order, Centre invited applications for citizenship from Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Christians and Buddhists hailing from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Banglesh who are currently residing in Mehsana and Anand districts. Union government delegated its powers to grant citizenship to collectors of aforesaid districts. While rules under CAA are yet to be framed, MHA invoked provisions of  Citizenship Act, 1955. 

Speaking on Centre's order, Suvendu hikari claimed, “ CAA has alrey been rolled out in two districts of Gujarat by notification giving citizenship to certain minority groups who came from neighbouring countries such as Pakistan”. He ded,  “Bengal cannot be left out of CAA implementation process. Matua community members and or backward castes like namasudras will get certain benefits soon. CAA will also be rolled out in our state". 

However, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that his party will never allow CAA to come into force in WB. He asserted, " BJP will not be able to roll out CAA in country. Suvendu hikari is making tall claims ahe of 2023 Panchayat polls as part of ir effort to polarise society". At present, Supreme Court is hearing over 200 petitions challenging constitutionality of CAA.

What is CAA? 

CAA seeks to provide citizenship to minority communities namely Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Banglesh and Pakistan. This will be applicable to members of se communities who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014. Moreover, y shall not be considered illegal migrants. ditionally, mandatory residence period for naturalised citizenship for se communities would be reduced to 5 years.

After an hours-long debate in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, legislation was cleared, with a majority of members voting in favour of Centre in December 2019. While rules for legislation were expected to be framed within a period of 6 months of President's assent, this has not happened in case of CAA. Recently, Centre was granted 7th extension to frame CAA rules from Committees on Subordinate Legislation, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. 

(With PTI inputs)