SC to hear from May 5 over 250 petitions challenging CAA for discrimination, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court has scheduled the final hearing of over 250 petitions challenging the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019 from May 5.
• The CAA aims to expedite Indian citizenship for non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
• A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will hear the case.
• The court will initially hear "general" CAA petitions and then address specific issues related to Assam and Tripura.

Detailed Insights:

• The petitions argue that the CAA violates the principle of secularism by discriminating on the basis of religion in granting citizenship.
• Concerns have been raised regarding the potential threat to the demography of Assam due to the implementation of the CAA.
• The CAA does not apply to tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, or Tripura that fall under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution or areas under the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system.
• The case was last heard in March 2024, and the petitioners argue that granting citizenship under the CAA would be irreversible.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA): Law expediting citizenship for religious minorities (excluding Muslims) from specific countries.
• Sixth Schedule: Constitutional provision providing special administration for tribal areas in certain states.
• Inner Line Permit (ILP): Travel document required for Indian citizens to enter protected areas, primarily in Northeast India.