The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 will be introduced in the Rajya Sabha on December 11. The Bill is likely to be taken up for consideration and passing following a debate.
After having been debated for many hours, the contentious Bill was passed in the Lower Houseon December 9, with 334 members favouring it and 106 voting against it.
Several amendments brought by opposition members, including one by a Shiv Sena Member of Parliament (MP), were defeated either by voice vote or by division.
The Bill seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955. According to the Bill, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, facing religious persecution in their respective native countries, will not be treated as illegal immigrants and stand eligible for Indian citizenship.
Protests rock Northeast
The Bill has triggered severe protests in the Northeast. Those opposing the Bill claim that it will nullify the provisions of the Assam Accord of 1985, which fixed March 24, 1971 as the cut-off date for deportation of all illegal immigrants irrespective of their religion.
Internet services were suspended in Tripura for 48 hours, starting from 2.00 pm on December 10 in view of the protests. An official order also prohibits SMS messages of all mobile service providers. The step was taken to prevent mischief-mongers from spreading rumours.
Regular life was paralysed in Assam's Brahmaputra Valley during the protest, led by the All Assam Students' Union and the North East Students' Organisation (NESO).
Processions were taken out in different areas of Guwahati, with protesters raising slogans against the emotive legislation.
Agitators engaged in a scuffle with security forces near the Secretariat and Assembly buildings in Assam when they were prevented from moving forward, police sources said.
Train services across Assam were affected as picketers blocked the tracks, a spokesperson for the Railways said. Examinations were shelved and rescheduled by universities because of the bandh.
The strike, however, had little impact in Bengali-dominated Barak Valley.
Educational institutions, banks, commercial establishments and markets were closed while public and private vehicles were off the roads in most places of Arunachal Pradesh in response to the strike called by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU).
The All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) observed a total shutdown in Manipur from 3.00 am to 6.00 pm, with the organisation warning that it would intensify its agitation if the bill was not immediately withdrawn.
Incidents of tyre burning and vandalism were reported in Meghalaya’s capital Shillong.
To assuage feelings of tribals of the Northeast, where many feel that permanent settlement of illegal immigrants will disturb the region's demography, the Centre has made provisions under which the Bill will not be applicable in Inner Line Permit (ILP) areas and those tribal regions that are governed under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has a strong majority in the Lok Sabha, it lacks numbers in the Rajya Sabha.
Yet, the BJP is confident that the proposed legislation will be passed by the Upper House.
Does BJP have the numbers?
The current effective strength of the Rajya Sabha is 240. This means, the BJP requires support of 121 MPs to pass the Bill. A report by news agency PTI, citing sources, suggests that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is confident of securing 124-130 votes.
BJP has 83 members in Rajya Sabha. Its allies All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the Janata Dal (United) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have 11, six and three MPs respectively.
The Bill also received the backing of regional parties such as the Biju Janata Dal (seven MPs), YSR Congress Party (two MPs) and Telugu Desam Party (two MPs). These parties are expected to support the Bill in this House too.
PTI has reported, citing BJP’s floor managers, seven Independents and nominated members and many regional parties with one MP each will also support the Bill.
Opposition comes together
Those opposing the Bill have claimed that that citizenship cannot be given on the basis of religion.
The Indian National Congress, Trinamool Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Left front parties, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) will be voting against the Bill. Together, they have 97 members.
On December 10, Shiv Sena indicated that it might change its stand on the issue. With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), some of the other smaller parties and possibly the Shiv Sena, the tally could touch 110.
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Update:
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for the day after the voting for Citizenship (Amendment) Bill concludes.
Rajya Sabha passes (Citizenship) Amendment Bill. The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 125 members favouring it and 105 voting against it.
Update:
Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut says that the party has boycotted the voting on Citizenship Amendment Bill, news agency ANI has reported.
Update:
Indian Army has said that two columns of Assam Rifles have been deployed in Tripura.
Update:
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MPs who had staged a walkout earlier after Amit Shah's statement, have not yet returned, according to reports.
Voting on clause by clause consideration on Citizenship Bill is currently on. Minutes earlier, the Rajya Sabha negated the motion for sending the Bill to Select Committee. 124 members voted against it while 99 members voted in its favour. The motion was moved by CPI(M) MP, KK Ragesh.
Rajya Sabha votes against sending the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to a select panel
The Rajya Sabha is now voting for the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to be sent to select panel.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
In the end I just want to say that this Bill is toto hurt any religious sentiment. Our country hasn't discriminated against any religion, and that will continue. This Bill is to grant citizenship, not to take away citizenship.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
Sometimes Pakistan's statements and Congress' statements are very similar. Only yesterday, Pakistan PM Imran Khan's statements were similar to the ones made by Congress leaders. This was also the case during Article 370 and Balakot airstrikes.
Update:
Shiv Sena MPs Anil Desai and Sanjay Raut have staged a walkout after Amit Shah's jibe, News18 has reported.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
CAB is not anti-Muslim and neither are Article 370 and Triple Talaq.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
This country will never become Muslim-mukt. This government's only religion is our Constitution.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
Today I am surprised how people changefor power (while referring to Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut). Yesterday Shiv Sena had supported the Bill, what happened during the night that they had to change their stance?
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
They referenced to Nazi Germany. India is a democratic country, and except Emergency, democratic process was never stopped.
Update:
There is ruckus in Rajya Sabha after TMC MPs object to Home Minister Amit Shah's reference to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Shah says that he hasn't misled the House.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
This Bill won't affectminorities in India, particularly the Muslim community here. There is no need for them to worry. Their citizenship won't be affected at all.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
We have been saying that Article 370 should go, we have been saying this Bill should be brought. We don't have confusion with that.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
This Bill is to address the issues of religious minorities in Islamic states sharing border with India. There cannot be different laws for addressing different issues. Without seeing that the Bill is giving benefits to people belonging to six religions, critics are highlighting the ommission of Islam.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
When I say minority, can someone tell me from the Opposition, in Pakistan, Bangaldesh and Afghanistan, those who are from the Muslim community, can they be called minorities?
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
We fight elections on the popularity of our leaders, we don't need to deflect attention from issues. This Bill was originally brought by us in 2015.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
What I want to say that in order to deal with the Sri Lankan crisis, laws were made then.That is also true with Uganda.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
This Bill wouldn't have been debated had Partition of India not happened. This Bill is being brought because of Partition, and to address the situations that arose after the Bill. I want to make it clear that the Narendra Modi government is here not just to run a government but to bring about change and improvement.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
First of all, some MPs mentioned Article 14. They said that this bill is unconstitutional by citing various Articles of the Constitution. Some MPs also questioned why this Bill was necessary.
Amit Shah, Home Minister:
Today since 12 pm there has been discussion going on, with 44 MPs stating their thoughts.
Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP:
Parliament has the right to make laws on citizenship. There is a reasonable group with reasonable classification that we want to give citizenship to.
Update:
Meanwhile, curfew has been imposed in Guwahati, News18 has reported.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress:
You (Amit Shah) have been talking in crores but your ministry doesn't even have the statistics.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress:
Sri Lanka is also our neighboring country. So are Burma and Nepal, but is this problem not with Sri Lanka's minority Hindus? Are there no problems with Christian minorities in Burma?
Update:
12 trains have been cancelled and 10 trains partially cancelled, on 12th and 13th December due to indefinite 'Rail Roko' by various organisations and associations, in Tinsukia division and Lumding division in Assam (ANI)
Bhupender Yadav, BJP:
We do not want to do politics of elections, but the politics of giving honour to the refugee. We do not believe in vote bank politics like Congress. This is a question of human rights of people who have been part of us.
Assam:
District Magistrate Dibrugarh orders closure of liquor licensed premises from 4 pm today for 'preservation of public peace and tranquility' (ANI)
Mobile internet has been suspended in 10 districts of Assam, News18 has reported. The suspension will last for the next 24 hours, as per the news channel.
Vinay Sahastrabudhe, BJP:
Congress' politics is all about creating division between the Hindus and the Muslims. Muslims are scared of Congress' vote bank politics. This Bill is a trust with humanity. We are going to shape our destiny.
Subramanian Swamy, BJP:
Congress has made similar demand for the relaxations for religious minorities in Bangladesh and Pakistan for getting Indian citizenship. Article 14 does not bar Citizenship Amendment Bill. There are a number of judgements which state only equals can comlain of discrimination.
BJD MP in Rajya Sabha:
We have understood that CAB is not connected to NRC. We are backing this bill. Sri Lanka must be included in the bill too. The government must take care that one particular community is not targetted.
YSRCP MP Vijaysai Reddy:
Me and my party support the bill.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram:
It'is a sad day that elected Parliamentarians are being asked to do something unconstitutional. The Bill is patently unconstitutional. Govt says ‘130 crore ppl are supporting them’, but the entire northeast is in flames.
This Bill will be challenged in the Supreme Court if it passes in the Parliament. I am absolutely certain that the judges of SC will strike it down.
– ANI
MDMK MP, Vaiko:
This bill should be thrown in the Bay of Bengal. It is an assault on the Constitution. If it is passed, it will be a black chapter in the history of this House.
Congress’ Kapil Sibal in Rajya Sabha:
Don’t convert this country into a Jurassic republic. This Bill weakens the foundation of our culture and ethos.
Congress’ Kapil Sibal in Rajya Sabha:
I request the Home Minister to withdrawn that allegation because we in Congress believe in that one nation, you do not believe in that.
Responding to Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that "CAB wouldn't have been needed if Congress had not allowed partition on basis of religion", Congress leader Kapil Sibal has said in Rajya Sabha, “I don't understand which history books the Home Minister has read. Two-nation theory is not our theory. It was perpetrated by Savarkar.”
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP)MP Mir Mohammad Fayazhas said he is against the Bill.
“The Bill is not against Sri Lankan Tamils and Tamil Nadu. We support the CAB in Parliament,” AIADMK leader D Jayakumar has said, according to ANI.
BSP’s Satish Chandra Mishra:
Our party opposes the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. Why are you violating Article 14 by excluding Muslims? Muslims being excluded is the sole problem of this entire act.
Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut:
I accept that the rights of our minority brothers in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are violated and they should be protected. But, we should not play politics in their name.
Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut:
If our government is so strong then they should end Pakistan. We are setting our hopes on the prime minister and the home minister to protect our minority brothers and sisters in Pakistan.
Reacting to PMModi’s address to BJP MPs earlier today in which he said thatOpposition is speaking Pakistan’s language on the CAB, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut has said, “We are not Pakistani citizens. This House is not of Pakistani citizens.”
"We don't need to take certificate of patriotism from anyone,"Raut added.
Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader Sachin Pilot on CAB:
For the first time in Independent India, issue of deciding citizenship on basis of religion has come up. I don't think the Bill will pass judicial scrutiny. This is majority versus morality.
