Major update on CAA, according to the government, the final design is likely to be ready by March 2024

The CAA seeks to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who enter India before December 31, 2014.

Calcutta: Union Home Minister Ajay Mishra on Sunday said the final draft of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA is expected to be ready by March 30 next year. The BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, while addressing a gathering of the Matua community at Thakurnagar in North 24 Parganas district, claimed that no one can take away the citizenship of Matuas, who was fleeing religious persecution in Bangladesh.

“The process of rolling out CAA has accelerated in recent years… some issues are being resolved. No one can take away the citizenship rights of the Matuas. By March next year, the final draft of the CAA is expected to be ready to come into effect,” he said to thunderous applause. Local BJP MP and Union Minister Santanu Thakur was by his side.

The CAA seeks to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who enter India before December 31, 2014.

Reacting to the allegation, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Sen said, “The BJP commemorates Matuas and the CAA only during elections. The saffron party will never be able to roll out CAA in West Bengal.”

“The BJP’s false claims are becoming apparent to the Matuas and others. The saffron party will be rejected by everyone in next year’s elections,” he said. Sen said the Trinamool Congress has guaranteed the rights of Matuas as citizens of the country. “We will continue to work for the community throughout the year, unlike the BJP which only makes false promises,” he added.

(With PTI inputs)