The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs unveiled the rules on Monday, just weeks ahead of the country's general election in the spring, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a rare third term in power.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which was originally passed in 2019 by India's parliament, provides a fast-track to citizenship for immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, with the exception of Muslims. The law grants this privilege to religious minorities facing persecution on religious grounds, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians.

While the bill has been well-received by Prime Minister Modi, a Hindu nationalist, it has faced heavy opposition from other political parties who argue it is unconstitutional and marginalizes India's 200-million strong Muslim population. Critics assert that the bill is yet another example of the Modi government and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pushing an agenda of Hindu supremacy onto the secular fabric of India – a country with a population of over 1.3 billion people.

Since coming to power, critics argue that Modi's government has strained the once harmonious relationship between different religious communities in India. The BJP's majoritarian policies, rooted in a Hindu right-wing movement, have raised concerns about the erosion of the country's secular and democratic principles. Minority groups have been left feeling increasingly persecuted and marginalized, leading to protests and clashes.

The implementation of the controversial citizenship bill comes on the heels of recent incidents that have further highlighted religious divisions. Last month, two mosques were demolished in Uttarakhand state and Delhi, leading to local curfews and unrest. In January, Modi inaugurated a Hindu temple in Ayodhya built on the site of a destroyed 16th-century mosque. While Hindu devotees celebrated the event, it served as a painful reminder for India's minority Muslim population of the religious divisions that have become more pronounced under Modi's leadership.

The announcement of the citizenship bill's implementation has reignited a fierce debate about the direction in which India is heading. Critics argue that the government's majoritarian policies are undermining religious harmony and stifling freedom of expression, as any dissent or criticism of the government faces censorship and punishment. As the country gears up for the upcoming general election, it remains to be seen how these contentious policies will impact the political landscape and the diverse fabric of Indian society.