What is the difference between CAB and NRC? - Check Frequently Asked Questions on CAA

The Home Ministry clarified that the Citizenship amendment act will not affect any Indian citizen, including Muslims. Get full answers to all the frequently asked questions on the citizenship amendment act here.

The CAB bill (Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019) became a law after President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the bill on December 12, 2019. The CAB bill was passed in the Indian Parliament on December 11, 2019 with 125 votes in favor and 105 votes against.

The citizenship amendment act's (CAA) formal acceptance triggered violent protests across the country, including the north-east, West Bengal and New Delhi. The national capital came to a standstill on December 15, when a student protest turned violent, leading to clashes with the police and torching of public buses. The protest march was organized by the students of Jamia Millia Islamia.

Following the violent clashes, the Delhi police detained over 100 Jamia students alleged to be involved in the violence. Thousands of people including students from other universities such as JNU and DU gathered outside the Delhi Police Headquarters late in the evening on December 15 to protest against the police crackdown on Jamia students and demand for the release of those detained.

There have also been protests against the nation-wide implementation of NRC. So let us understand what is cab and NRC, what is the difference between the two and why does the issue have the nation under boil. We have also compiled a list of questions on the citizenship amendment act and Home Ministry's clarification on the same.

What is CAB?

CAB is the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019, which proposes to grant Indian citizenship to the religious minorities who have fled from three of India’s neighbouring nations- Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan- due to religious persecution or the fear of being persecuted.

Which religions are included in the cab bill?

The cab bill covers religious minorities belonging to six non-Muslim communities - Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Buddhist and Parsi. These religious minorities will be eligible for Indian citizenship if they entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

What were the previous citizenship criteria?

Till recently, it was compulsory to live in India for 11 years to be eligible for Indian citizenship. The new bill reduces the limit to six years.

What is NRC?

NRC is the National Register of Citizens, a process aimed at removing illegal immigrants from India. The NRC process was recently completed in Assam. However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in the Parliament in November that the NRC will be implemented across India.

What is the eligibility criteria under NRC?

Under NRC, a person is eligible to be a citizen of India if they prove that either they or their ancestors were in India on or before March 24, 1971. The Assam NRC process was initiated to weed out illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, who came into India during the India-Pakistan war in 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.

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