Union Home Minister Amit Shah today asserted that Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 is not against the Muslims and they will continue to enjoy the rights given to them as citizens of the country.
Moving the bill in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passing, Mr. Shah said that misconception has been created that this legislation is against a particular community which is not true.
The bill seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants of six communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible for Indian citizenship.
The communities are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians.
Allaying the fear of the people from North-Eastern states, the Home Minister said, the bill will not affect their interest and the NDA Government is committed to preserving their cultural, social and linguistic identities.
Mr. Shah said, the legislation will give bring new light in the lives of the people who were facing religious persecution in the neighbouring countries namely Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
He said, such people who are living in India for decades will be given all kinds of rights and facilities. Mr. Shah also said, the BJP had mentioned in its manifesto that the party will do justice to the religiously persecuted people living in India and the legislation has been brought to end their sufferings.
Meanwhile, Congress, Left, TMC, SP, DMK, BSP, RJD, NCP and TRS opposed the bill terming it unconstitutional.
Initiating the discussion, Mr Anand Sharma of Congress alleged that the bill is an attack on the soul of the Constitution. He said, the Constitution has the provisions for citizenship, but the religion was never the criteria for this. He also urged for not to pass the bill in hurry and refer it to the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha for a thorough examination.
Another party leader P. Chidambaram accused the government of arbitrary inclusion and exclusion of communities saying that it is illogical. He said, the legislation will be struck down in the court.
Mr. Chidambaram also pointed out what he called flaws in the bill. Congress MP Kapil Sibal said, the bill has far-reaching consequences which cannot be imagined.
Opposing the Bill, Mr Derek O’Brien of TMC termed it as unconstitutional. He alleged that the government has brought this bill to cover up its mistakes done through NRC in Assam.
He also alleged that BJP has failed to fulfil several promises. Mr. O’Brien urged parties like JD(U) and BJD to rethink about their support to the bill. Mr Javed Ali Khan of Samajwadi Party also accused the government of working to marginalize the Muslims in India.
He alleged that the bill is an attack on the secular fabric of the country. Mr Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP said, this bill is against the Preamble of the Constitution as Muslims have been excluded.
Mr Praful Patel of NCP said, the Constitution has given equal rights to every citizen and this bill must be sent to the Select Committee for further scrutiny.
Mr K. Keshav Rao of TRS questioned the government, why the people of Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Myanmar who are persecuted on the religious basis have not been included under the legislation. He demanded that this bill should be withdrawn.
Echoing the same view, Mr Tiruchi Shiva of DMK alleged that one particular community has been targeted in this legislation.
He also questioned the exclusion of religiously persecuted people of Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Myanmar from the ambit of the bill. Prof. Manoj Jha of RJD described the bill as against the basic ethos of India and rejected government claim that NRC and Citizenship Amendment Bill have different purposes to serve.
Mr T. K. Rangarajan of CPI (M) also opposed the bill. Mr Sanjay Raut of Shivsena attacked the BJP saying it is wrong to paint people as anti-national those who are opposing the bill. He said, rights of the minorities were hampered in the neighbouring countries.
He wanted to know, whether infiltration will stop after the passing of this legislation.
On the other hand, supporting the bill, BJP Working President J P Nadda said, the bill has a historic necessity as the neighbouring country like Pakistan has failed to protect the interests of minorities. Allaying the fears of North-East states, he said, their identity will be protected. Mr R C P Singh of JD(U) accused the opposition of creating fear among the Muslims in the name of this legislation.
He said, JD(U) will always stand against the injustice on the basis of religion. Ms Vijila Sathanathan of AIADMK and Ms Saroj Pandey of BJP also supported the bill terming it as historic.
Earlier, Chairman, M. Venkaiah Naidu rejected the objection of Mr Sukhendu Shekar Roy of TMC that the bill is faulty in nature and it should not be taken into consideration.
The members from Congress and Left Parties moved the motion to send the bill to the Select Committee
