Legal Battle Unveiled: Dual Citizenship Challenge to Citizenship (Amendment) Act

Credit: The Hindu News

07.04.2024: The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) has sparked a legal debate, with petitioners voicing concerns over its implications on dual citizenship. The contentious issue revolves around the absence of a requirement for foreign applicants to renounce their previous citizenship under the new CAA Rules. This omission, according to the petitioners, could pave the way for dual citizenship, contravening the established provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the Indian Constitution.

In their written submissions submitted before the Supreme Court’s upcoming hearing on April 9, the petitioners underscored the potential violation of Section 9 of the Citizenship Act of 1955 and Article 9 of the Constitution. These provisions explicitly prohibit individuals from acquiring dual citizenship, highlighting a fundamental contradiction within the CAA.

Furthermore, the petitioners argue that the CAA’s purported aim of aiding persecuted minorities is undermined by its selective exclusions. Groups such as Ahmadiyyas, Rohingyas, and Sri Lankan Tamils find themselves excluded from the CAA’s protective ambit, raising questions about the legislation’s equitable application.

As the legal battle unfolds, the debate over dual citizenship and the CAA’s broader implications for India’s citizenship framework continues to garner significant attention and scrutiny.