Local priests can issue "religious certificates" for citizenship under CAA

Guwahati: As the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 still faces protests from different sections, it has now been reported that even local priests could potentially issue certificates verifying an applicant's religion for Indian citizenship.

According to a report by The Hindu, the information has been provided by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs' CAA helpline.

The CAA offers a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who belong to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities and who came to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Bangladesh before December 31, 2014, claiming religious persecution.

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The helpline, launched on March 21 this year to answer questions and provide guidance, reportedly stated that a religious eligibility certificate can be issued on a plain sheet of paper or legal document with a 10 rupee stamp.

While the specific format remains unclear, the helpline according to reports, indicated that "any local priest" could be authorized to provide this certificate.

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In addition to the eligibility certificate, the CAA application process requires an affidavit from the applicant and another from an Indian citizen vouching for the applicant's character.

Applicants must also submit a declaration confirming fluency in one of the languages listed in the Indian Constitution's Eighth Schedule.