what is the difference between CAB and NRC ?

The CAB bill (Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019) was passed in the Indian Parliament on December 11, 2019 with 125 votes in favor and 105 votes against. The bill received presidential assent on December 12.

The passing of the cab bill triggered violent protests across the country, including the north-east, West Bengal and New Delhi. The national capital came to a standstill on December 15, when a student protest turned violent, leading to clashes with the police and torching of public buses. The protest march was organized by the students of Jamia Millia Islamia.

Following the violent clashes, the Delhi police detained over 100 Jamia students alleged to be involved in the violence. Thousands of people including students from other universities such as JNU and DU gathered outside the Delhi Police Headquarters late in the evening on December 15 to protest against the police crackdown on Jamia students and demand for the release of those detained.

Many celebrities and prominent personalities have raised their voices against the cab bill and its implementation and the crackdown of the police on the students protesting against it. There have also been protests against the nation-wide implementation of NRC. So let us understand what is cab and NRC, what is the difference between the two and why does the issue have the nation under boil.

CAB full form: Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019

NRC full form: National Register of Citizens 

What is CAB?

CAB is the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019, which proposes to grant Indian citizenship to the religious minorities who have fled from three of India’s neighbouring nations- Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan- due to religious persecution or the fear of being persecuted.

Which religions are included in the cab bill?

The cab bill covers religious minorities belonging to six non-Muslim communities - Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Jain, Buddhist and Parsi. These religious minorities will be eligible for Indian citizenship if they entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

What were the previous citizenship criteria?

Till recently, it was compulsory to live in India for 11 years to be eligible for Indian citizenship. The new bill reduces the limit to six years.

What is NRC?

NRC is the National Register of Citizens, a process aimed at removing illegal immigrants from India. The NRC process was recently completed in Assam. However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in the Parliament in November that the NRC will be implemented across India.

What is the eligibility criteria under NRC?

Under NRC, a person is eligible to be a citizen of India if they prove that either they or their ancestors were in India on or before March 24, 1971. The Assam NRC process was initiated to weed out illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, who came into India during the India-Pakistan war in 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.

Difference between CAB and NRC

CAB

NRC

CAB will provide Indian citizenship based on religion.

 

NRC has nothing to do with religion.

CAB likely to benefit non-Muslim immigrants. 

NRC is aimed at deportation of all illegal immigrants irrespective of their religions.

CAB to grant citizenship to non-Muslim immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

NRC Assam was aimed at identifying 'illegal immigrants', mostly from Bangladesh.

CAB will grant citizenship to the religious minorities who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

NRC will include those who can prove that either they or their ancestors lived in India on or before March 24, 1971.

Assam protests against CAB

The implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 is expected to help those excluded by the Assam NRC. However, some groups in the state feel that it would nullify the Assam Accord of 1985.

The Assam Accord of 1985 had set March 24, 1971 as the cut-off date for the deportation of illegal refugees. While the whole purpose of the NRC was to weed out illegal immigrants irrespective of their religion, Assamese protestors feel that the cab bill will benefit the non-Muslim migrants in the state.