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Citizenship and Related Issues

Assam Accord 

Why in the news?

The Supreme Court recently questioned whether a new order enabling entry of persecuted minorities into India violates the Assam Accord’s cut-off date of 24 March 1971 for detecting illegal immigrants.

Background

• Signed on 15 August 1985
• Parties: Union of India, Government of Assam, All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad
• Ended the Assam Movement (1979 to 1985) against illegal immigration
• Aim: Detect and expel persons entering Assam illegally after 24 March 1971 (midnight)

Cut-off Dates and Citizenship Provisions

• 1 January 1966 fixed as the base cut-off for detection and deletion of foreigners
• Persons entering Assam from the “Specified Territory” before 1 January 1966 deemed Indian citizens
• Migrants entering from 1 January 1966 to 24 March 1971:
To be detected as per Foreigners Act 1946 and Foreigners Tribunals Order 1939
Names deleted from electoral rolls
  Must register under the Registration of Foreigners Act 1939
Voting rights only after 10 years from date of detection
• Migrants entering on or after 25 March 1971: To be detected, deleted from rolls, and expelled as per law

Clause 6

• Mandates safeguards to protect the cultural, social, and linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people
• Constitutional, legislative, and administrative measures envisaged

Significance

• Central to demographic and cultural protection concerns in Assam
• Continues to influence citizenship policies including NRC and related legal debates

With reference to India, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. There is only one citizenship and one domicile. 

2. A citizen by birth only can become the Head of State. 

3. A foreigner, once granted citizenship, cannot be deprived of it under any circumstances. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) 2 and 3

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