The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) are two controversial policies introduced by the Indian government. The CAA, passed in December 2019, provides a path to Indian citizenship for undocumented immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who are Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Christian but excludes Muslims. Critics argue that the law is discriminatory and violates India's secular principles.
The NRC is a proposed nationwide register to identify undocumented immigrants residing in India. The first NRC exercise was carried out in the state of Assam, resulting in the exclusion of over 1.9 million people, many of whom are Muslim. Critics fear that the implementation of the NRC on a national scale could lead to widespread discrimination and render millions of people stateless.
Both the CAA and the NRC have sparked widespread protests across India, with many expressing concerns about their impact on marginalized communities, religious freedom, and the secular fabric of the nation. Supporters argue that the policies are necessary for national security and to protect the rights of persecuted minorities. However, the debate surrounding the CAA and NRC continues to be highly contentious and polarizing.
In March 2024, the Government of India implemented the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Shaheen Bagh
Protesters offer Morning Namaz, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Women and Children were the forerunners of the protest, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Artists made huge murals in Support of the protest, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Women and Children were the forerunners of the protest, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Women and Children were the forerunners of the protest, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Protestors taking out Candle Vigils, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Women and Children were the forerunners of the protest, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Dissent in every corner, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Dissent in every corner, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Dissent in every corner, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Dissent in every corner, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Dissent in every corner, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Dissent in every corner, Shaheen Bagh, 2019
Urdu Bazaar Candle Light Vigil
Muslim Women Present a timeline of CAA/NRC headlines, Urdu Bazar, New Delhi 2019
Protestors being arrested outside UP Bhawan for protesting under section 144 of IPC, UP Bhawan, New Delhi.
