Centre rebuts challenge to CAA, says NRC necessary for every country | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Centre rebuts challenge to CAA, says NRC necessary for every country

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
Mar 17, 2020 03:59 PM IST

The Centre filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court against petitions which have challenged the constitutional validity of Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA.

The Centre on Tuesday disputed all the challenges against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA and presented a point-by-point rebuttal to the criticism in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court.

A number of petitioners have moved Supreme Court questioning the constitutional validity of CAA.(Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)
A number of petitioners have moved Supreme Court questioning the constitutional validity of CAA.(Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

In the 129-page preliminary affidavit, the Centre told the Supreme Court that the CAA does not violate any fundamental right and therefore, the question of violation of constitutional morality does not arise. The Centre also submitted that CAA does not result in expulsion or deportation of any person who may be classified as illegal migrant, “as claimed by the petitioners who have moved Supreme Court against CAA”.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

It also said that CAA does not confer any arbitrary and unguided powers on the executive as the citizenship to the persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh would be granted in a manner as specified under the law governing grant of citizenship.

The amended law seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from the three neighbouring countries who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

The Centre insisted that unlike the particular neighbouring countries, “India is a constitutionally secular country and further has a large population of persons belonging to the classified communities already residing as Indian citizens”.

It said that totality of factors, “makes it amply clear that India represents the sole rational and logically feasible place to seek shelter for the said communities.”

The Centre also said that National Register of Citizens (NRC) is a necessary exercise for any sovereign country “for identification of citizens from non-citizens” and added that provisions regarding the NRC have been part of said 1955 Act since December, 2004.

The affidavit was filed in response to the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of CAA.

The Supreme Court on December 18 last year had decided to examine the constitutional validity of the CAA but had refused to stay its operation.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On