Impact of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Ethnic Conflict

This essay investigates the ethnic conflict in India triggered by the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019 and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). The Act, which grants citizenship to religious minorities (excluding Muslims) from neighboring countries facing persecution, has sparked widespread protests and debates. The paper analyzes the Act's implications, including concerns about its discriminatory nature and potential to marginalize the Muslim community, along with the varied reasons for opposition across different groups within India. It further explores the global repercussions, including international criticism from various organizations and governments, as well as the impact on India's economic and diplomatic standing. The conclusion highlights the potential for India's isolation on the global stage due to its approach to CAA implementation and the growing communal divide.

Sociology- political science
Title:- Ethnic Conflict due to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India

Abstract: - In this article, we study the Ethnic Conflict within India due to the Citizenship
Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). This is based on the
current Ethnic Conflict, and its effect can be seen across the World. In this article, we also
analyze why this issue is essential for the global community.
Introduction:-
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 seems to amend the status of illegal
immigrants in India. This is entitled explicitly to Jain, Christian, Parsi, Buddhist, Hindu, and
Sikh immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, who have faced religious
persecution in their originating countries and subsequently moved to India till 31st December
2014 will be provided Indian citizenship.
It was indicated that Muslims constitute close to 15% of the Indian population, and this Act
leaves out immigrants from that community. Hence, it was criticized as being unsecure and
was also pointed out that it effectively creates a hierarchical system of citizenship determined
by an individual’s religion (Markit, 2020).
The Indian government clarified that Muslims were not persecuted minorities in the Islamic
countries of Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Therefore, Muslims were not included in
the list of beneficiaries.
The new citizenship law leads to create a National Register of Citizens (NRC), apparently
aimed at identifying and removing illegal immigrants. The requirement of documents to
prove citizenship will certainly disqualify millions from the citizenship status, as can be seen
in the state of Assam, where the NRC has already been implemented (Saaliq, 2020).

CAA had lead to a protest and ethnic conflict in India, yet the reasons vary with geography.
Some of the groups are protesting because they fear that it will endanger their linguistic and
cultural identity, while others feel that it violates the secular identity of the country. Yet
others believe that while the CAA itself is non-offensive, combined with the National
Register of Citizens (NRC), it might become a tool to exclude the Muslim population from
India (Nagarwal, 2020).
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has not only affected the local community in India but
the whole global community. The wide protest can see this staged across several US cities by
thousands of Indian Americans joined by some other civil rights organizations claiming it to
undermine the country’s constitution. The international media has continuously reported
about prolonged locked down in many parts of the country due to CAA protests, internet
accesses was denied to citizens and many reports of unethical behavior against minorities.
The World is pitching in too to speak against the CAA. United Nations officials, international
groups, American officials, and some religious organizations issued critical statements saying
that the citizenship law is highly discriminatory against a specific religion. Some are even
calling for a penalty for disobeying a law or rule (Ali, 2020).
Many observations can be drawn from this set of understandings. The first international
community has reacted negatively as the Act does injustice against the minorities, and some
are looking at the significant setbacks of development on the economic front for India.
India’s economic developments have been deeply upset due to the Trade war with Malaysia
and suspension of defense exports to Turkey. The first and foremost condition to attract
foreign investment is the stability of the nation, i.e., peace and harmony. Good governance
needs accountability, credibility, and transparency.

NO, CAA is not neutral. The CAA is the citizenship of oppressed strict minorities of
basically three Islamic religious countries, which are neighbors of India. The law activated
broad, violent fights in India; it is discriminatory against Muslims. We are evident that the
CAA is naturally valid and consents to all requirements of our constitutional values. It is
thoughtful and national responsibility in respect to human rights issues emerging from the
mishap for the Partition of India (Singh, 2020).
Conclusion:-
Under the current scenario, considering the rigid approach of CAA implementation by India,
it can be seen that the majority of the international community might agree to isolate India
from the diplomatic and global stage, which might become a big worry for India. The
growing communal divide, specifically between Hindu and Muslim, coupled with an
antagonistic relationship with some neighboring countries, is creating possibilities of
confrontation with Pakistan or China in the coming days. It has been witnessed and proven
that whoever has ignored human rights/minority rights, i.e., the right to liberty and equality
for citizens, has paid a hefty price in the past.

References:-
Ali, M. (2020). Thousands protest in US cities against India citizenship law. Retrieved from
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/thousands-protest-cities-india-citizenship-
law-200127083331402.html.
Gettleman, J. (27 feb 2020). As Protests Rage on Citizenship Bill, Is India Becoming a Hindu
Nation?. [Web Log Post] The newyork times. Retrieved from
Https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/16/world/asia/india-citizenship-protests.html.
Markit, I. (2020). Country/Territory Report - India. Retrieved from https://eds-b-ebscohost-
com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?
vid=2&sid=284a3618-1d2c-4387-9f1f-08162bf9494c%40sessionmgr103.
Nagarwal, N. (2020). Global Implications of India’s Citizenship Amendment Act 2019.
Retrieved from https://russiancouncil.ru/en/analytics-and-comments/analytics/global-
implications-of-india-s-citizenship-amendment-act-2019/.
Saaliq, S. (2020). Protests against citizenship law continue unabated in India. Retrieved from
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jan/17/protests-against-citizenship-
law-continue-unabated/.
Singh, A. (2020). Case File Against India Regarding Unconstitutionality of CAA.. Retrieved
from https://eds-a-ebscohost-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/eds/
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