India has announced the implementation of new rules for the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which has sparked outrage and protests across the country. The bill, which provides a fast-track to citizenship for immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, specifically excludes Muslims.
Opposition parties have criticized the bill as unconstitutional and accused the government of marginalizing India’s Muslim population. Critics argue that the bill promotes a Hindu nationalist agenda at the expense of the Muslim community and goes against India’s secular principles.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has faced criticism for its roots in the Hindu right-wing movement and its promotion of Hindu nationalism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rise to power has been accused of eroding the secular and democratic values on which India was founded.
Minority groups in India have expressed feeling persecuted under the BJP’s majoritarian policies, with recent incidents such as the demolitions of mosques in Uttarakhand and Delhi leading to clashes and curfews. In a controversial move, Modi inaugurated a Hindu temple on the site of a destroyed mosque in January, reminding the Muslim population of the religious divisions under his rule.
The ongoing tensions and clashes in India highlight the deep-seated religious and political divisions within the country. The implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act has further exacerbated these divisions, leading to widespread protests and concerns about the future of secularism in India.
