Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that only eight people had applied for citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the state during the four months since the rules were notified. He emphasized that the fears stoked by anti-CAA protest leaders about millions of illegal immigrants gaining citizenship were unfounded.
Assam has been sensitive to the issue of citizenship due to a long history of anti-outsider sentiments. In 2019, five people died during massive anti-CAA protests in the state.
The CAA, passed in 2019, aims to expedite Indian citizenship for Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians fleeing religious persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan before December 31, 2014. Despite the sizable population of Hindu Bengalis in Assam, only eight applications were received, and only two applicants appeared for interviews.
Sarma noted that many Hindu Bengalis in Assam, particularly those who do not appear on the National Register of Citizens (NRC), believe they are Indian citizens by having settled in the state before 1971. As a result, they prefer to prove their citizenship in court rather than apply under the CAA.
Regarding ongoing cases in the Foreigners Tribunals, Sarma clarified that while proceedings might be paused for a few months to allow individuals to apply under the CAA, cases would not be dropped outright. He stressed that those eligible for citizenship under the CAA who did not apply could still face legal action. Reports suggesting that cases against Hindu Bengalis were being dropped were labeled as misleading by Sarma.
Sarma also addressed the significant anti-CAA protests in Assam and the deaths of five people during these protests. He expressed surprise that only a few people applied for citizenship under the CAA despite earlier claims by protest leaders that millions of illegal immigrants would benefit from the law.
Furthermore, Sarma mentioned efforts to resolve issues related to the lack of Aadhaar cards, which have caused problems for residents. He recounted an incident where a girl from Assam lost a job opportunity with Deloitte because she did not have an Aadhaar card. Sarma indicated ongoing coordination with the central government to address such issues.
