Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SHP)
New Delhi, Dec 13: President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday, December 13, gave his assent to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, turning it into an Act. The contentious law promises citizenship to migrants from three neighbouring countries excluding the ones who are Muslims.
According to the Act, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, and facing religious persecution will no longer be treated as illegal immigrants.
Following uproar in both the upper and the lower houses of parliament, through a majority, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed.
However, the bill has caused major tension in Assam where protesters clashed with the police on Thursday. The police also resorted to open fire where at least two people lost their lives. The north-eastern state also witnessed internet shutdown starting from 7 PM on December 11. According to a state government notification, this step was taken supposedly to prevent misuse of internet platforms and social media to disturb the peace and order in Assam. Meanwhile, the protesters in Assam, which shares a border with Bangladesh, say the measure would open the region to a flood of foreign migrants.
Responding to the tense situations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet, “I want to assure my brothers and sisters of Assam that they have nothing to worry after the passing of #CAB. I want to assure them- no one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow.”
Opposition parties, however, said the bigger problem with the new law was that it undermined India's secular constitution by not offering protection to Muslims.
The government has said the new law will be followed by a National Register of Citizens that means Muslims must prove they were original residents of India and not refugees from these three countries. Members of other faiths listed in the law, by contrast, have a clear path to citizenship.