Is India’s Citizenship Bill Dividing the Nation? Modi’s Move Sparks Protests and Political Firestorm

Image credit: Rediff

India has taken steps to enforce a contentious citizenship bill that excludes Muslims, sparking widespread debate and protests across the country.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs unveiled the rules on Monday, just ahead of the upcoming general election in the spring, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a rare third term in office.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, originally passed by India’s parliament in 2019, aims to expedite citizenship for immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, with the notable exclusion of Muslims. The law grants preferential treatment to religious minorities facing persecution in these countries, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians.

Despite receiving support from Modi, known for his Hindu nationalist stance, the bill faced significant opposition from rival political parties, branding it as unconstitutional and discriminatory against India’s Muslim community, which accounts for approximately 200 million people.

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah lauded Modi’s leadership, hailing the move as a fulfillment of the constitutional pledge to safeguard the interests of religious minorities in neighboring countries.

Critics argue that the legislation reflects the BJP’s agenda of Hindu nationalism, which they fear is eroding India’s secular ethos and marginalizing its Muslim populace. The BJP, rooted in the Hindu right-wing movement, advocates for India as a Hindu nation, a stance that has ignited polarizing debates about the country’s identity.

In recent years, concerns have mounted over the BJP’s policies, with critics lamenting the diminishing space for dissent and minority rights in the world’s largest democracy. Minorities, including Muslims, have reported feeling increasingly marginalized under the BJP-led government, facing censorship and reprisals for criticizing state policies.

Tensions flared last month after the demolition of two mosques in Uttarakhand state and Delhi, leading to clashes and local curfews. These incidents reignited concerns about religious intolerance and communal tensions in the country.

The inauguration of a sprawling Hindu temple on the site of a 16th-century mosque in Ayodhya, performed by Modi in January, further underscored the deepening religious fault lines under his leadership. While hailed as a momentous event by many Hindus, the ceremony reignited painful memories for India’s Muslim minority, highlighting the enduring religious divisions exacerbated by the BJP’s governance.

The implementation of the citizenship bill has reignited debates about India’s secular identity and the rights of its minority communities. As the nation grapples with these contentious issues, the upcoming general election is poised to be a critical juncture in determining the future trajectory of Indian politics and society.

As reported by CNN in their recent article