The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Tuesday filed an urgent application with the Supreme Court, seeking to halt the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) rules.

The plea comes a day after the Union government issued the rules for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA. IUML demanded that the impugned statute and regulations be stayed and that no coercive steps be taken against persons belonging to the Muslim community who have been deprived of the benefit of this law.

In its petition, the Muslim body argues that the CAA is “unconstitutional and discriminatory”, particularly against Muslims, ANI reported.

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With the Lok Sabha elections approaching, the government’s decision to start granting citizenship under the CAA has reignited the controversy surrounding the act.

Passed by Parliament on December 11, 2019, the CAA sparked widespread protests across India. The epicentres of these protests included Delhi, where demonstrations persisted for months, notably in the Jamia Millia Islamia and Shaheen Bagh areas.

In addition to protests, the CAA also contributed to communal tensions, leading to violent riots in northeast Delhi in early 2020. The riots resulted in the loss of many lives and left hundreds injured.

Also Read: ‘Every Indian Muslim should welcome CAA’: All India Muslim Jamaat president welcomes Centre’s move, AIMIM opposes

Despite the opposition and protests, the Centre went ahead with the implementation of the CAA on Monday. According to a gazette notification, the rules came into effect immediately.

Under the newly implemented rules, the Narendra Modi government plans to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from neighbouring countries, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians. The move aligns with the Centre’s aim to provide refuge to minorities facing religious persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Also Read: CAA rules notification: What changes as Citizenship Amendment Act comes into force?

Opposition leaders slammed the Centre for notifying the CAA rules, alleging the BJP was trying to divide society and polarise the atmosphere ahead of general elections.

(With inputs from ANI)