Arnima
New Delhi: The contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 is all set to become law soon as it has been passed by the Upper House of the Parliament. Passed in the Rajya Sabha, the bill completed the legislative procedure and will soon give Indian citizenship to non-muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
The Bill witnessed a six-and-a-half hour debate with Union Home Minister Amit Shah focussing on the fact that the bill would be a great step towards the betterment of the persecuted minorities in the mentioned countries.
Amit Shah said that CAB would not take away the citizenship right of anyone. He also rejected the belief that it is an anti-muslim bill and said that they have nothing to fear.
Rajya Sabha passed the Bill with 125 votes saying Ayes while 105 votes against it. The Bill was supported, in the upper house, by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies Janata Dal (United) and Shiromani Akali Dal. Parties like All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Biju Janata Dal, Telugu Desam Party and YSR Congress also came in favour of the CAB
It is to be mentioned that the House had earlier rejected the motion for the Bill to be sent to the select committee. The motion had got 124 votes against it and just 99 in favour.
While the CAB will now be sent to the President for the final assent, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the bill as an end to the alleviate sufferings of people who have faced persecution for years. Expressing his happiness over the CAB, the PM said that passage of the bill marked the 'landmark day' for India. Expressing his gratitude towards the Rajya Sabha for voting in favour of the Amendment Bill, PM Modi said that this passage will increase the compassion and brotherhood among the people of the country.
It is worth mentioning that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 saw much political drama inside and outside the Parliament. Passing through heated debates in both the House of the Parliament to widespread protests in Assam and other states, the Bill finally reached to the President's table and will take shape as a law in the country very soon.
