On a day the Ministry of Home Affairs made a significant announcement on members of minority communities from some neighbouring countries living in India, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said only three foreigners have been granted citizenship in the state under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act so far.
The CAA seeks to provide citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis who came to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the earlier deadline for entry into India was December 31, 2014.
On Wednesday, the Home Ministry said members of minority communities from the three countries who came to India till December 31, 2024, to escape religious persecution will be allowed to stay in the country without a passport or other travel documents, according to the Union Home Ministry.
In Assam, there has always been an apprehension among people in the state that hundreds of migrants would get citizenship under CAA.
"Till now, only three people have received citizenship under CAA in Assam," Mr Sarma said, adding that the state had received a total of 12 applications, nine of which are still under consideration.
Downplaying the fears surrounding the Act, the Chief Minister said, "There was a huge hue and cry that 20-25 lakh people would get citizenship in Assam. Now you decide whether it is relevant to discuss the CAA when only 12 applications have been received."
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