The Great Indian Citizenship Mess
The Hindu|January 21, 2020
The Supreme Court is largely responsible for the chaos around the CAA and the NRC
Faizan Mustafa & Aymen Mohammad
The Great Indian Citizenship Mess

On January 22, the Supreme Court will hear 60-plus petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). As a matter of fact, it is the apex court that is largely responsible for the current mess. Its Sarbananda Sonowal judgment (2005), which struck down the Assam-specific Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) Act (IMDT), was the turning point of the debate on ‘illegal migrants’. Some observations made in the ruling bordered on the xenophobic and were filled with paranoia about ‘outsiders’. Now, some of these ‘outsiders’ will become beneficiaries if the court does not rule against the CAA.

In the Sonowal judgment (2005), the Supreme Court struck down the Assam-specific Act that had put the burden of proof on the state rather than on the person alleged to be a foreigner. Without providing any evidence, the court went on to say that “unabated influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh into Assam [had] led to a perceptible change in the demographic pattern of the State and reduced the Assamese people to a minority in their own State.” The National Register of Citizens (NRC), monitored by the Supreme Court itself, has proved these fears to be exaggerated. Even if all the 19 lakh excluded people are considered ‘illegal migrants’, their composition as a proportion of Assam’s population is just 4%.

CAA is territory-specific

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE HINDUView all
‘Olympics Cancellation Likely If Vaccine Not Found In Time'
The Hindu

‘Olympics Cancellation Likely If Vaccine Not Found In Time'

Further delays impossible, says Tokyo Games organising panel chief Mori

time-read
1 min  |
April 29, 2020
It's Wholesale Only At Koyambedu Market
The Hindu

It's Wholesale Only At Koyambedu Market

Retail outlets to remain shut to bring down crowding.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 29, 2020
Ministry Does U-Turn On Plasma Therapy
The Hindu

Ministry Does U-Turn On Plasma Therapy

Treatment not proven: Health official

time-read
2 mins  |
April 29, 2020
Trump's Bleach Statements Echo Claims By Pseudo-Scientists
The Hindu

Trump's Bleach Statements Echo Claims By Pseudo-Scientists

‘Miracle cure’ quacks have long promoted industrial bleach to treat autism, malaria and many other medical conditions

time-read
3 mins  |
April 29, 2020
U.S. May Seek Damages From China
The Hindu

U.S. May Seek Damages From China

President says many options on the table to hold Beijing accountable, draws an angry response

time-read
2 mins  |
April 29, 2020
Koyambedu Market May Be Shifted Out
The Hindu

Koyambedu Market May Be Shifted Out

Decision likely at today's meeting of stakeholders; aim is to enforce physical distancing

time-read
2 mins  |
April 28, 2020
Massive Spike Of 522 Cases In Maharashtra
The Hindu

Massive Spike Of 522 Cases In Maharashtra

On Monday, cumulative tally surged to 8,590 positive cases with 27 more deaths

time-read
2 mins  |
April 28, 2020
The Script Of Disruption And A New Order
The Hindu

The Script Of Disruption And A New Order

Across the globe, the geopolitical and geo-economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic could be serious

time-read
6 mins  |
April 28, 2020
A Policy Road Map To Tackle Covid-19
The Hindu

A Policy Road Map To Tackle Covid-19

The interest of each and the interests of all now coincide, not only within nations but for all humanity

time-read
5 mins  |
April 28, 2020
ICMR Says No Payment Made For Chinese Test Kits Supplies
The Hindu

ICMR Says No Payment Made For Chinese Test Kits Supplies

Alleged profiteering by distributors supplying the kits

time-read
2 mins  |
April 28, 2020