Citizenship Amendment Bill passes Rajya Sabha test; "Bill not anti-muslim": Amit Shah

Bringing a great relief for the refugees of Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, the parliament on Wednesday, passed the much-debated Citizenship Amendment Bill with required two-third majorities.

The bill that was cleared by Lok Sabha on Monday was tabled today in Rajya Sabha and was passed by a majority of 125 votes. 105 legislators voted against the bill.

The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 proposes to give citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Parsis of neighboring countries Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, who faced religious persecution and moved to India on or before 31st December 2014.

Several amendments moved by opposition parties were rejected during the voting.

The bill was supported by BJP and its allies like JD(U), SAD, BPF and AIADMK, whereas opposed by Congress, SP, BSP, TRS, CPI(M), RJD and others. However, Shiv Sena walked out of the Rajya Sabha during voting.

Replying to the debate on the bill, Home Minister Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha said that the Bill is not going to hurt anyone’s sentiments or make people of any community upset. “Neither CAB is anti-Muslim, nor abrogation of Article 370 is anti-Muslim, Triple Talaq Bill is not anti-Muslim either. The people who are worried that minorities of this country will be subjected to injustice, it will not happen.” the HM said in the house.