New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), giving the government three weeks to respond to 237 petitions challenging the law. The court set the deadline for the government’s response to April 8, with the next hearing scheduled for April 9.
Senior lawyers Kapil Sibal and Indira Jaising, representing the petitioners, requested the court to allow them to approach if citizenship is granted to any individual before the given date. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, sought four weeks’ time to respond to the petitions, citing the need for a detailed affidavit addressing the concerns raised.
The petitioners, including the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and opposition leaders Jairam Ramesh of the Congress and Mahua Moitra of the Trinamool, did not oppose the request for more time. However, they urged the court to order a stay on implementation of the CAA, which they deem discriminatory against the Muslim community.
In 2019, after the citizenship bill was passed by Parliament, multiple challenges were filed. The court did not stay implementation at that time as the rules had not been notified. However, last week, the rules were notified, prompting arguments for a stay on implementation until the challenges are resolved.
Under the CAA, non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan fleeing religious persecution can seek citizenship. Critics have accused the government of timing the law’s implementation to coincide with the 2024 Lok Sabha election, alleging a polarizing political agenda.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the CAA, stating that it was not unconstitutional and accusing the opposition of spreading misinformation. He reiterated that minorities need not fear the law as it does not revoke any rights.
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