Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) Implemented: A Timeline

The implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) across India on March 28, 2024, marked a significant milestone in the contentious journey of the legislation. The CAA, which was passed by Parliament in December 2019 and received assent from the President of India, had been the subject of nationwide protests and debates since its inception.

Here’s a chronological overview of key events surrounding the CAA:

• December 11, 2019: CAB passed in Parliament, later becoming CAA after presidential assent.
• December 15, 2019: Protests erupt across the country, including clashes at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) in Delhi, and the beginning of the Shaheen Bagh sit-in protest in Delhi.
• December 2019-January 2020: Pleas challenging CAA filed in the Supreme Court.
• January 30, 2020: Gunfire incident reported outside Jamia Millia Islamia University during protests.
• February 23, 2020: Communal violence erupts in northeast Delhi.
• March 24, 2020: Delhi Police disperse protesters from Shaheen Bagh amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
• December 27, 2023: Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirms the government’s commitment to implementing CAA.
• February 28, 2024: Reports surface indicating the imminent notification of CAA rules ahead of the Lok Sabha polls scheduled for April-May.
• March 28, 2024: CAA rules officially notified, leading to varied reactions from political leaders and the public.

While leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and celebrated the implementation of the CAA, opposition leaders raised concerns and questioned the government’s decision. The journey of the CAA has been marked by protests, legal challenges, and political debates, reflecting the complex socio-political landscape of India.

As the CAA takes effect, its impact on India’s social fabric and political discourse remains a subject of intense scrutiny and debate, underscoring the enduring significance of the legislation in shaping the nation’s future.