There has been furious debates and vehement protests when it comes to the recently passed Citizenship Amendment Act.
But how exactly does one go about proving that they are citizens of India? According to the Ministry of Home Affairs Spokesperson, Indian citizenship "can be acquired by Birth, descent, registration, naturalisation or incorporation of territory".
In a series of tweets that were begun on December 18 and continued till date the Home Ministry explains further:
Indian Citizenship may be proved by "giving any document relating to date of birth or place of birth or both".
They do not have to prove any ancestry by presenting documents like identity cards, birth certificates etc of parents/grand parents dating back to pre-1971 situation.
In the case of illiterate citizens, who may not have any documents, "authorities may allow them to produce witnesses or local proofs supported by members of community" the spokesperson said.
"A well laid out procedure will be followed," the MHA added.
Such a list, the spokesperson wrote on Twitter, is likely to include a lot of common documents to ensure that no Indian citizen is unduly harassed or put to inconvenience.
"Any foreigner on becoming eligible can acquire citizenship by registration or by naturalisation irrespective of his country or community," the spokesperson had earlier explained on Twitter. With CAA the additional factor is that six foreign minority communities from three countries can now apply for citizenship on basis of religious persecution.
"It does NOT amend any existing legal provision which enables any foreigner to apply for Indian citizenship through registration or naturalisation," the spokesperson explains.
The CAA, the Home Ministry had reiterated, does not apply to Indian citizens in any way. It simply "provides a mechanism for some migrants who may otherwise have been called “illegal” (which in turn would deprive them of opportunity to apply for Indian citizenship), provided they meet certain conditions".
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