Editor,
The proposed implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). 2019, by the Union Government before the Lok Sabha Elections, 2024, has once again sparked concerns among the residents of Meghalaya, a tribal State. The CAA 2019 aims to expedite citizenship for individuals belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan provided they entered India before 31st of December 2014, and are able to prove persecution on religious grounds in those countries. However, the Act explicitly mentions that the CAA will be exempted in the 6th Schedule areas, including Meghalaya, thus allaying the concerns of the residents regarding the impact of the CAA.
Pertinently, the process of citizenship under the CAA is expected to be rigorous, with stringent checks and balances put in place to prevent misuse. The applicant would need to provide various documents and evidences to prove that they are persecuted for religious reasons in their country of origin. As per an estimate found in open channel, approximately 30,000 people across the country would benefit from the CAA, if implemented.
Despite concerns about demographic changes due to immigration, it is premature to conclude that CAA implementation would significantly affect Meghalaya. Meghalaya has a long history where non-locals have settled in the State creating fear that the locals will be outnumbered and employment opportunities will be reduced due to competition with outsiders. The assumption that implementation of CAA would lead to more foreign immigrants to the State is premature at this stage. In practice, an illegal immigrant would, by all means, procure documents to pass off as a legit Indian citizen as soon as he enters India and will not wait for the stipulated time to legitimise his citizenship as per the CAA.
Regardless of CAA, preventing illegal immigration and safeguarding against exploitation of systemic failures should be a concern for the stakeholders. We should remain vigilant by not allowing our territory to be used for infiltration, nefarious activities by touts, procurement of forged documents, benami transactions of business, land etc. Cooperation among various stakeholders, including security forces, villagers in border areas, various pressure groups and traditional institutions should be a welcome step.
As we all know, Meghalaya is covered under the 6th Schedule and, in addition, the Meghalaya Transfer of Land Regulation Act, 1971, prohibits non-locals from purchasing land which offers additional protection to the indigenous inhabitants. Immigrants can buy land and forge documents only if we locals help them. Therefore, if we remain alert and know our rights and duties, CAA may have no impact in our State, as feared by some.
Yours etc.,
David Lyngz,
Via email
Landmark judgment on Electoral Bonds
Editor.
The Supreme Court of India on Thursday February 15, 2024 delivered a landmark judgement on the Electoral Bond Scheme. The court rightly held that anonymous electoral bonds are violative of the Right to Information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India and accordingly struck down amendments to the IT Act and Representation of the Peoples’ Act, which were enacted to provide contribution through electoral bonds, terming it “unconstitutional”. The bench ruled that the information about corporate contributors through electoral bonds must be disclosed as the donations made by companies are purely for quid pro quo purposes. “Allowing corporations to make unlimited contributions to political parties violated a level playing field in polls,” the apex court said. The court’s unanimous verdict addressed key questions related to the Right to Information and principle of free and fair elections. Notably the top court directed that the issuing bank should immediately stop the issuance of electoral bonds, and tasked the State Bank of India with providing details of donations made till date through the scheme to the Election Commission by March 6. The apex court also directed the poll panel to share the information on its website by March 13, 2024.
This judgement marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over transparency in political funding in India. I applaud the four petitioners including the NGO- Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Congress leader Jaya Thakur and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for having taken the initiative to file a vital and important petition in the Apex Court for “We the people of India”.
Yours etc.,
V.K.Lyngdoh,
Via email