Seventh Extension: India Pushes CAA Rules Deadline to January 2024 Amidst Anticipation

In a significant development, India's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has once again extended the deadline for framing the rules under the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), pushing the new cut-off date to January 9, 2024. This marks the seventh such extension granted to the central government since the Act was passed by Parliament in December 2019.

The move comes as the government continues to navigate the complexities surrounding the implementation of the law, which has faced widespread protests and legal challenges since its inception.

The CAA aims to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minorities – including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians – who migrated to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014.

The parliamentary procedure dictates that rules for any legislation must be framed within six months of its enactment, or the government must seek an extension from the Committees on Subordinate Legislation of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The continuous deferrals highlight the intricate bureaucratic and political considerations involved in operationalizing the CAA.

Without the formal rules in place, the Act cannot be implemented. These rules are crucial as they will define the specific procedures, documentation, and criteria for individuals seeking citizenship under the CAA, essentially translating the law's intent into practical application.

The initial six-month period for framing rules expired in June 2020.

Since then, the MHA has consistently sought and received extensions, a pattern that underscores the contentious nature of the law and the challenges in developing its implementing framework. Each extension reignites public discussion and debate around the Act's future.

The latest extension sets the stage for potential progress or further delays in the new year.

Stakeholders, including those who support the Act and those who oppose it, will be closely watching for any announcements or developments as the January 2024 deadline approaches. The implementation of the CAA remains a keenly anticipated and debated topic in India's political and social landscape.