CAA provisions may violate Indian Constitution: US congressional report

Certain provisions of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), enacted this year, could potentially be in breach of India’s Constitution, a report published by an independent research wing of the US Congress stated.

The CAA, which modifies the 1955 Citizenship Act, was implemented in March, nearly four years after it was cleared by Parliament.

According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, “The CAA’s key provisions — allowing immigrants of six religions from three countries a path to citizenship while excluding Muslims — may violate certain Articles of the Indian Constitution.”

The report highlights concerns that, coupled with a planned Register of Citizens (NRC), the CAA could jeopardise the rights of India’s Muslim population.

The CRS, an independent research arm of the US Congress, provides reports to aid congressional decision-making but doesn't represent official congressional views.