India’s Controversial Citizenship Bill Excludes Muslims: A Deepening Divide Under Modi’s Rule

India has recently announced the implementation of rules that would enact a controversial citizenship bill, one that has sparked heated debate due to its exclusion of Muslims. The decision, unveiled by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday, comes just ahead of the country’s upcoming general election in the spring, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims for a rare third term in office.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, originally passed by India’s parliament in 2019, offers expedited citizenship to immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, but notably excludes Muslims. The legislation specifically targets religious minorities facing persecution in these neighboring countries, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians.

Despite receiving support from Modi, who aligns with Hindu nationalist ideals, the bill faced significant opposition from rival political parties. Critics argued that the law contradicts India’s constitutional principles and marginalizes its sizable Muslim population, estimated at around 200 million.

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah lauded Modi’s leadership for fulfilling another commitment and honoring the constitutional promise to protect religious minorities in neighboring nations. However, detractors view the bill as emblematic of Modi’s and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) agenda of Hindu nationalism, which they believe undermines India’s secular identity and jeopardizes minority rights.

The BJP, rooted in India’s Hindu right-wing movement, advocates for the country’s Hindu majority and has faced criticism for allegedly fostering an environment of religious polarization. Critics argue that under Modi’s leadership, India’s democratic values have eroded, with minority communities feeling increasingly marginalized and dissent against the government is met with censorship and reprisal.

The announcement of the citizenship bill’s implementation follows recent incidents of religious tensions in India, including the demolition of mosques in Uttarakhand state and Delhi, leading to localized unrest and curfews. Additionally, the inauguration of a Hindu temple at the site of a demolished mosque in Ayodhya served as a stark reminder of India’s deep-seated religious divisions, further exacerbating concerns among the Muslim minority about their place in the country’s socio-political landscape under Modi’s governance.