GD Topic: Implications of the CAA and NRC- Pros and Cons

Like other GD topics, the debate over the CAA and NRC too can happen in either For or Against motion. Before proceeding ahead, first of all we need to understand what exactly do these terms mean. By Aritro Dasgupta

This article was first publsihed on January 17, 2020.

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Current affairs topics are quite common for being posed for Group Discussion (GD) round of MBA admission. Attempting any topic in an MBA Group Discussion (GD), requires a multi- faceted approach. One needs to approach any GD with calmness and without getting too passionately involved. Whatever the topic, one needs to steer clear from controversial opinions. In this series of articles, we explore certain topics which are quite likely to be in line to be asked in the GD rounds at the top MBA colleges this year. These are all based around the most important of topics around business, economy and society. We will set a path on how best to attempt these. One such area is the much debated over duo of CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and NRC (National Register of Citizens). Add to this, the NPR (National Population Register).

Like almost any other topic, this too can be answered in either For or Against motion. Before proceeding ahead, first of all we need to understand what exactly do these terms mean. The CAA plans to grant citizenship status to persecuted religious minorities from three of our neighbouring countries which are- Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. All these are predominantly Islamic countries, so the minority list includes Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Zoroastrians. As India has long been a centre for illegal migration, the NRC will create a register that will exclude those who are unable to prove their citizenship. The final draft is awaited so at this point, it is too early to debate on the exact mechanisms of the process.

GD Topic: Implications of the CAA and NRC- Pros and Cons

Let us explore arguments in For and Against this topic:

CAA and NRC: Pros

This proposal may eventually be a grand success. There are several points in favour of the same as explained through the following bullet points:

1. No country can work without a register of its citizens, so the NRC seeks to maintain a list of its own citizens, as this will help exclude illegal citizens. This has been a major cause of concern especially in the eastern and north- eastern parts of our country.
2. The CAA does not exclude legal Indian citizens of any religion, but instead seeks to grant a respectable haven to those who have escaped religious persecution in neighbouring countries.
3. Neither does the CAA exclude the possibility of granting Indian citizenship to those from the majority religion in these three countries, who meet all the conditions stipulated for conventional cases.
4. Due to the expected concerns of people residing in the North- Eastern region of India, the law has excluded those living within states with an Inner Line Permit, from the purview of the CAA. Several of the states in this region, are sparsely populated, with a substantial tribal population. Thus, there was a fear that an influx of immigrants, irrespective of religion, would alter the culture and affect the voting patterns, leading to a compromise in the cultural traditions. This has been respected by excluding the areas where an Inner Line Permit is necessary.
5. The cutoff date has been fixed at the year 2014, so the law does not in any way ‘encourage’ future immigration.
6. Though initially denying its role in outward illegal migration, Bangladesh has now extended a helping hand by confirming that those proven to be Bangladeshi nationals, will be taken back.
7. The admittedly botched NRC process in Assam need not be considered as the standard, as that was based on the Assam Accord, while the rest of India’s exercise will be built around a separate draft, yet awaited.

CAA and NRC: Cons

While there are inherent pros to this proposal, there of course, also exist several cons. These are discussed below:

1. This law is highly discriminatory against one religion, going completely against the principles set in the Indian Constitution, especially Article 14, that recognizes equality amongst all religions.
2. There are severe implications also for the north- eastern region, as those states are sparsely populated, with a substantial tribal population, so influx of immigrants, irrespective of religion, could alter the demographics.
3. The NRC process that was carried out in Assam was highly flawed. The cutoff date there was fixed at March, 1971 due to the stipulations under the historical Assam Accord. Millions of poor people, especially the poor had to bet their lifetime savings, in procuring the requisite documentations. Yet, many were left out of the process.
4. Some detention centres have already built, and more are likely to be built to house the millions set to be displaced. This problem has been compounded by the fact that Bangladesh has on the whole, denied its role in any outward illegal migration, so could be reluctant to ‘take back’ its people.
5. The entire theory of massive illegal migration fails on the one count, that the Bangladesh economy is at present doing much better than its Indian counterpart. The last quarter saw the growth pegged at 8.1% as opposed to the 4.5% achieved by its larger neighbor. In fact, Bangladesh’s Per Capita Income at present is only marginally less than the state of West Bengal, or the Indian average, while in fact being higher than the state of Assam.
6. The entire process also risks compromising India’s position on the global map. Bangladesh is in fact a friendly neighbor, and a key business ally in several ways, though inching closer to China at several policies. Besides the high economic growth the country presently enjoys, Bangladesh has for the most part not been a Theocratic state, so its vilification across the border, could have severe repercussions.
7. Even if theoretically the laws end up not being discriminatory, there is a major chance of domestic peace getting out of hands, thanks to the present profusion of instant messaging and social media. The street protests across the country at a time of economic strife, does not bode well for the bigger picture.

The main lesson we draw from the above points is that both viewpoints are perfectly fine, as long as the backing evidence is provided. Supporting examples need also to be drawn up. To prove one’s point, citing of data released by credible sources such as the World Bank, World Economic Forum (WEF), The Economist, Forbes, Fortune etc. is the best way of making one’s point. Indexes and ranks released by such bodies, present a highly credible and scientific justification for the points sought. The key is not to get too emotional. One does not earn brownie points for shouting the most. Instead, one has to work on the 4 Cs of Group Discussions- Content, Collaboration, Communications and Clarity.

About the Author:

Aritro Dasgupta is a Teacher, Trainer and Content Writer. He has taught at several leading colleges and coaching institutes in both India and the UAE. Several of his students have finished in the top 10 of various national level exams such as CLAT, AILET and DUJAT. He is also a prolific content writer, having written for several leading publications in India, while currently, also working for one in the USA.

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