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The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
MHA refuses to share data on CAA beneficiaries
More than a year after the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 became effective, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has refused to share data on the total number of beneficiaries under the Act. A Bharatiya Janata Party MP from West Bengal told The Hindu that fewer than 100 people in his constituency had received citizenship under the CAA even though the number of intended beneficiaries, mostly belonging to the Matua sect, were around 1 lakh. There are around 2.8 crore people from the Matua and Namasudra communities who stand to benefit from the CAA in the State. The CAA Rules were notified on March 11, 2024 to give citizenship to undocumented members of Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Jain, Buddhist and Christian communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh under the Act that was passed in 2019. Ranaghat MP Jagannath Sarkar told The Hindu that the requirement to submit any one document, which will help trace an applicant's roots to Bangladesh, should be dropped and the cut-off date for applying under CAA should be amended too. The existing cut-off date is December 31, 2014. 'Most people do not have any of the documents sought by the MHA to fulfil citizenship criteria. These people came to India to escape persecution, with barely any belongings. How will they provide documents?' Mr. Sarkar said. Following reports from West Bengal, Schedule 1A of the CAA Rules was tweaked on July 8, 2024, and the list of nine documents to prove that the applicant is a national of Afghanistan or Bangladesh or Pakistan was expanded to include any document issued by the State or the Centre or quasi-judicial authority in India identifying or representing the applicant or their parents or grandparents or great-grandparents as a national of these three countries . Anticipating non-cooperation in Opposition-ruled States, the CAA Rules entrusted Central government officials posted in States, including officials of Directorate of Census, Postal Department, Railways, National Informatics Centre (NIC) and Intelligence Bureau, to process the applications. On April 2, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in the Rajya Sabha that 'thousands were granted citizenship', while responding to Trinamool Congress member Sushmita Dev's remarks that merely 350 people were granted citizenship under the CAA. The Minister did not specify the number. The Act was mostly expected to benefit people in West Bengal and Assam as those who had arrived from Pakistan had entered legally and possessed one of the documents required to acquire citizenship. In West Bengal, most intended beneficiaries already have voter cards and other identity documents. One of the criteria to avail citizenship under the CAA is that the applicant has to declare that he or she is a foreigner. The Pakistani applicants from the six non-Muslim communities would have been eligible under the Citizenship Act, 1955 also after living in India continuously for 12 years. According to Hindu Singh, president, Seemant Lok Sangathan, a group that advocates for the rights of Pakistani minority migrants in India, of the around 8,500 people who applied under the CAA in Rajasthan, 7,250 were granted citizenship in the past one year. On March 10, Assam's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary informed the Assembly that two applicants in Assam were granted citizenship under CAA. In Gujarat, at least 373 people had got citizenship via the CAA. While discussing the legislation in Rajya Sabha on December 11, 2019, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that 'lakhs and crores' of people would benefit from the law. However, Director, Intelligence Bureau had deposed before a parliamentary committee in 2018 that around 31,000 people would be the immediate beneficiaries. The MHA has refused to share information on how many people have either applied or had been granted citizenship. The Hindu filed a Right to Information Act (RTI) application in June 2024 and in September 2024, the MHA refused to provide the information. An appeal was also filed with the Central Information Commission (CIC), which hears appeals from applicants who have issues with RTI responses from public authorities of the Union government. The CIC's Chief Commissioner Heeralal Samariya heard The Hindu's case on July 9. The RTI was limited to applications received on the portal, which is run by the Home Ministry as the entire process is online. The Home Ministry's representative, Ram Dayal Meena, did not specifically dispute any of The Hindu's arguments during the hearing, and when asked by the CIC if he wanted to speak, declined to make any oral submissions. A written response reiterated the MHA's earlier refusals, which simply stated that the information was 'not being maintained as desired by you'. 'Upon perusal of records and examining the facts of the case at hand, it is noted that the Appellant's queries had been appropriately answered by the concerned PIO,' Mr. Samariya wrote in his order. 'The reply is self- explanatory and information as permissible under the provisions of the RTI Act has been duly supplied to the Appellant.' The decision was arrived at the same day, and was uploaded at a later date.
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
Indian Man Praises Dutch Authorities For Fixing Road Quickly: "Coming from India..."
An Indian man named Prabhu Visha, currently living in the Netherlands, praised the local authority after he received a letter informing him that they would fix minor road bumps near his home. In a video shared on Instagram, showcasing himself skating on a smooth road, Prabhu expressed his admiration for the Dutch civic sense and governance, highlighting the detailed process of fixing road issues. The authority even explained why, when, where and how the repairs would be done. Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prabhu Visha (@prabhuvisha) Also Read | US Woman Secretly Filmed Using Smartglasses By Influencer: "This Is Violating" Coming from India, Prabhu felt impressed by the proactive approach of the Dutch government, showcasing a difference from what he might have experienced back home. Visha explained why he believes the Netherlands truly cares for its people. "Near my home in the Netherlands, there were some small bumps on the road. For me, the road was already perfect. But then we got a letter from the government explaining they will fix it - with details of why, when, where, and how. It's possible some people complained about it, and that's why they're fixing it. But still, it's amazing that they listen and act," he said. He added, "Even small bumps matter here, for pregnant women, people biking with kids, or the elderly. Seriously, hats off to this government for their inclusion and communication," adding that this is what working for and with the people should truly look like. In the now-viral video, Visha skated down the road while showing how minor the bumps appeared on camera. "I wish every country cared for its people like this," he concluded. The video went viral, garnering attention and praise for the Dutch government's commitment to civic responsibilities and infrastructure maintenance. "I agree. Yes the taxes are high but when you realize little things like this .. it makes it so much worth it," one user said in the comment section. "Its not the government.. its the "people" who cares.. thats beauty of democracy.. government exactly reflects the mentality of the people who forms it," another user wrote. "Netherlands also cares for its animals . You wint see a si gle street dog because they made a strict policy to sterilise and vaccinate them. Adoption is supported , heavy tax on breeding and strict animal laws," a third user said.
India Today
6 hours ago
- India Today
Masked guards, phone jammers: Inside Zohran Mamdani's lavish Uganda wedding bash
Armed guards in masks, multiple security gates, and a phone-jamming system: these were just some of the intense security measures in place as New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani celebrated his recent marriage at his family's luxury estate in Uganda this three-day celebration, held at the secluded Mamdani family compound in the upscale Buziga Hill neighbourhood outside Kampala, drew attention from local residents and sources who described the event as unusually fortified, even by VIP standards, the New York Post 33, and his wife, 27-year-old artist and animator Rama Duwaji, secretly tied the knot in Dubai a few weeks ago. Flower decoration at Zohran Mamdani's wedding venue in Dubai. (Photo: Instagram/@lmf_dubai) This week's celebration brought together guests at the sprawling property owned by Mamdani's parents—filmmaker Mira Nair and political theorist Mahmood 20 guards from a special forces unit surrounded the gates of the heavily protected home, which features lush gardens, panoramic views of Lake Victoria, and multiple security checkpoints, the report stated quoting sources. Vehicles including buses, Mercedes-Benz cars, and a Range Rover were seen entering the compound throughout the week.'Outside the Mamdani house were more than 20 special forces command unit guards, some in masks, and there was a phone-jamming system set up — and all for the strictly invite-only Mamdani event,' the report quoted a local source. 'One gate had around nine guards stationed at it.'The celebratory gathering, which followed Mamdani's February elopement with artist Rama Duwaji, transformed the compound into what sources described as a 'party pad' — complete with Christmas lights strung through tree canopies, fruit juice stations, dancing, and a DJ, the report Tuesday, convoys of luxury vehicles, including buses, several Mercedes, and a Range Rover 4, were seen entering the compound. Guests reportedly partied until after midnight, with Mamdani himself addressing the crowd over a microphone, according to a celebration occurred during a period of mourning for former Ugandan Supreme Court Judge George Kanyeihamba, who had lived near the Mamdani residence and died on July 14. Some neighbors criticised the timing of the festivities, citing cultural norms around mourning known locally as 'Okukungubaga.''It was insensitive to have a wedding celebration in the same week as mourning,' said one local resident as quoted by the New York Post. 'He has not even been buried yet.'advertisementUgandan President Yoweri Museveni reportedly visited the area to pay his respects to the late judge, temporarily blocking streets with his Friday, signs of the party's conclusion appeared as military-style tents were dismantled and private security returned to gate duty. Flower piles were also seen near one of the largely hidden from public view, the gathering sparked curiosity — and resentment — in the surrounding area. Locals, aware of Mamdani's political rise in the US, expressed a mix of fascination and skepticism.'We had heard that Mamdani was going to be Mayor of New York, and he had made it over in America. We want to know now if we can get free visas to the US and travel like he did,' one said as quoted by the Queens assemblyman, confirmed his visit to Uganda through an Instagram post while taking a jibe at the trolls who kept asking him to 'go back to Uganda where he came from'.Joking about potential headlines and confirming he would remain in Uganda until the end of the month, he said, "'Since you will undoubtedly read about this trip in The New York Post —Inshallah on the front page—here are a few of my humble suggestions for headlines,' Mamdani quipped while holding a slew of newspaper covers, one which read, 'M.I.A.:MAMDANI IN AFRICA.' Zohran Mamdani was born in Kampala and moved to New York at age 7. He became a US citizen in 2018. He now lives in a rent-stabilised apartment in Astoria with his wife, whom he met on the dating app Hinge.- EndsMust Watch
