LS Passes Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019: Assam Won’t Shelter Non-Muslim Refugees Alone, Assures Rajnath Singh

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday (8 January) passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 which was tabled by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, reports Economic Times.

The bill proposed to make it easier for individuals from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, who belong to religious groups like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, Jainism and Zoroastrianism to acquire Indian citizenship.

The migrants need to reside in India for six years to become eligible for the same. It is applicable for those migrants who have entered India before 31 December 2014.

During his speech Rajnath Singh made it clear that the bill pertains not just to Assam but also for others states.

“Assam is dealing with illegal migration for a long time now and Assam’s burden is India’s burden. The law will imply to all states as migrants cannot get citizenship”, Singh was quoted as saying.

He bolstered the bill’s credibility by asserting that NGOs and other groups had carried out a nationwide survey to help frame it.

The proceedings witnessed high drama after the Congress decided to stage a walkout. The party has demanded that the bill be sent to a select committee. Other opposition parties like the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have also registered strong protests against the bill.

The direct fallout for the Narendra Modi led government over this issue has been Assam Gana Parishad’s (AGP) decision to leave the BJP led state coalition in Assam.