5 years ago
Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed in Lok Sabha with 311 votes in favour, after a detailed day-long discussion in the house. Amid protests, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday had introduced the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha. "The bill is not against minorities," Mr Shah said adding "they are open to answer each aspect of the bill in the house".
The lower house voted on the introduction of the bill in the house with 293 MPs voting yes, 82 MPs voted no, earlier in the day. Widespread protests have been reported in the Northeast against what many of its residents claim is a move to nullify a decades-old accord aimed at stemming illegal immigration.
Amit Shah also mentioned that Manipur will now be included in the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, "this big issue has now been resolved".
Mr Shah will introduce the bill to amend the six-decade-old Citizenship Act this afternoon, after which it would be taken up for discussion and passage. The legislation seeks to make it easier for non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to gain citizenship in the country.
Here are the highlights on Parliament winter session:
PM Modi Thanks Amit Shah
I would like to specially applaud Home Minister @AmitShah Ji for lucidly explaining all aspects of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019. He also gave elaborate answers to the various points raised by respective MPs during the discussion in the Lok Sabha.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 9, 2019
Thank the various MPs and parties that supported the Bill: PM Modi
Delighted that the Lok Sabha has passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 after a rich and extensive debate. I thank the various MPs and parties that supported the Bill. This Bill is in line with India's centuries old ethos of assimilation and belief in humanitarian values.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 9, 2019
Citizenship Amendment Bill Passed In Lok Sabha
Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 passed in Lok Sabha with 311 'ayes' & 80 'noes'. https://t.co/InH4W4dr4F pic.twitter.com/Nd4HpkjlEo
- ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2019
The division of votes on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is underway in the Lok Sabha. Amit Shah completed his address and house is voting on the proposed amendment to the Citizenship Bill.
Home Minister Amit Shah addresses the Lok Sabha after a long discussion on the provisions of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill
- 48 members have participated in the discussion.
- The Bill is not unconstitutional "Because of reasonable classifications in Article 14, this Bill is not against the constitution."
- I have earlier also said that on basis of reasonable classification, there is no stoppage from article 14
- Partition on religious lines has necessitated the Bill
- 130 crore Indians have endorsed the Bill
- Muslims went to Pakistan and then India was formed, Bangladesh was formed. Amid border crossing rape, loot, mishappenings took place. After this, Jawaharlal Nehru and Liaqat's understanding came which enabled in the thought process that both countries take care of its minorities
- In 1947, minorities in Pakistan was 23% and reduced to 3.7%
- Where did they go? Either they were killed or converted.
- There were 9.8% Muslims. We have not done discrimination over this
- In 1991, Hindu population was 84% and in 2011, it was 79%. In 1991, Muslim population was 9.8% but today it's 14.23%. We have not discriminated on basis of religion
- If there are crimes against minorities in neighbouring nations, then India will not remain silent
- In Article 14, the provisions are all for minorities. If this were done only for Christians, or only for Sikhs, then it was violation of the Article.
- If it is for minority protection, it is not in violation.
- If laws like this cannot be made, how are schools for minorities made then?
- I repeat what Rajnath Singh said. There is no need for refugee policy. Referring to Manish Tewari's analogy, Mr Shah says the Congress leader forgot that they had also escaped religious persecution
- You said we don't regard citizens of PoK. You don't know history: Amit Shah to Dayanidhi Maran
- I had also said that at different times, Citizenship has been given in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
- Rohingyas wont be accepted. I will say it again
- Attacking politician Abhishek Banerjee, Mr Shah said, "I heard him first time. Maybe this was the first time he spoke."
- Don't you want lakhs of Bengalis and Hindus to get citizenship?
- Nobody should be in fear, whether you have Ration card or not
- Some parties spread rumor that they can help people get citizenship
- Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is ours, people there are also ours. Even today, we have reserved 24 seats for them in the Jammu & Kashmir assembly
- There is difference between Article 370 and 371. Let me assure you, we will never touch Article 371
- There is a difference between a refugee and an infiltrator. Those who come here due to persecution, to save their religion and the honour of women, family, they are refugees and those who come here illegally are infiltrators.
- Muslims are not minorities there, so we're not giving. If Nehru-Liaquat understanding was adopted, this wouldn't be necessary
- All of Arunachal, Mizoram protected by inner line permit. Same Tripura, Meghalya, almost all.
- All of Nagaland, except a small part of Dimapur is also protected by Inner Line Permit, they too have nothing to worry
- For Assam, a committee has been formed, sending report soon.
Why don't we add names of Muslims? There are cases of Muslims being persecuted within their religion. I'll give you example of Ahmadiyya community in Punjab, Qadian is their HQ all over the world. They're minority Muslims in Pakistan, says Sukhbir Singh Badal
Union Law Minister & BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad: Kisi ki himmat nahi hai Bharat ka partition karde. Ye desh mazboot hai. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, sab milkar sath rehte hain aur iss desh ko aage badhate hain. Ab iss desh ko koi thodh nahi sakta. https://t.co/WPufKIjRsP pic.twitter.com/CPKDyKT8up
- ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2019
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi tore a copy of Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 in Lok Sabha
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi tore a copy of #CitizenshipAmendmentBill2019 in Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/pzU1NtutD8
- ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2019
Bill does not discriminate: Chirag Paswan
We should understand why this bill was bought. This Bill has nothing to do with minorities of India and there is religious persecution of minorities abroad. In 2014, there were rumours spread that there will be riots, attack against minorities. The amount the country was secure past few years, it wasn't as secure throughout history, Chirag Paswan said.
We should understand why this bill was bought. This Bill has nothing to do with minorities of India and there is religious persecution of minorities abroad. In 2014, there were rumours spread that there will be riots, attack against minorities. The amount the country was secure past few years, it wasn't as secure throughout history, Chirag Paswan said.
A separate discriminatory law is not needed: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, while opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, said his party is opposing the fact that the Bill is being extended on the basis of religion.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, while opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, said his party is opposing the fact that the Bill is being extended on the basis of religion.
AR Chaudhary,Congress in LS:We're opposing #CitizenshipAmendmentBill,as it's discriminatory.The argument of persecuted refugees can be dealt by making separate provisions through amendment in current law for accommodating refugee.A separate discriminatory law is not needed for it pic.twitter.com/mcrxCIuyJ7
- ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2019
Party will support the Bill but the government should include a provision to provide refuge to Sri Lankan minorities as well: BJD leader Prasanna Acharya
Prasanna Acharya, BJD: We'll support #CitizenshipAmendmentBill but our suggestion is to include Sri Lanka in it because there were reports about mistreatment towards minorities there in the past. Also, Govt should allay any misunderstanding that bill is against Muslims. pic.twitter.com/yNo2f6Dbe8
- ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2019
Please withdraw this Bill: Supriya Sule
- We debated Article 370 and everyone on this side almost humiliated Jawaharlal Nehru by saying he did this in isolation
- If 370 was decided in isolation, then why are we doing it for this?
- What was urgency of this Bill? could we have not found one bill equal for all?
- Why is Nepal left out? So many in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar?
- Why is India leaving them out and selectively including?
- It is unfair to leave anyone out. Please don't make anyone stateless in this country.
- I am talking of Article 14, 15 and not convinced by Home Minister
- I appreciate you may have got it with good intentions, but huge section of society is being excluded
Swami Vivekananda would be shell shocked if was here seeing this bill as it is against his idea of India. BJP's idea of India is divisive. It will be disastrous if we ignore words of Mahatma Gandhi and not heed advice of Sardar Patel: TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee
Not a single person will lose citizenship due to NRC, CAB: Mamata Banerjee
"Not a single citizen of this country will turn a refugee. Some people are trying to create panic with their political rhetoric but let me make one thing very clear there will no NRC and CAB. You cannot implement NRC or CAB on the basis of caste and religion", Mamata Banerjee
"Not a single citizen of this country will turn a refugee. Some people are trying to create panic with their political rhetoric but let me make one thing very clear there will no NRC and CAB. You cannot implement NRC or CAB on the basis of caste and religion", Mamata Banerjee
Probably the fear of the West, the fear of being isolated by West has creeped into you and you had to include Christians in this bill. Also what about if Muslims from PoK want to come? What law do you have for that?: Dayanidhi Maran, DMK in Lok Sabha
There should be no agitation against it: TR Singh, Manipur Education Minister
TR Singh, Manipur Education Minister on #CitizenshipAmendmentBill: There should be no agitation against it but people are doing lot of politics, particularly Congress. They have no issues. In Manipur or anywhere else, there's no effect of the bill, but people are being instigated https://t.co/iFutUiPxMt pic.twitter.com/Lym5O5DvYL
- ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2019
BJP General Secy Ram Madhav on Citizenship Amendment Bill
"Citizenship Amendment Bill is for persecuted minorities who've come over to India. If they've been here for at least 5 years, they can claim Indian citizenship. We're open to providing refugee status to many people, including refugees from Sri Lanka and Pakistan," Mr Madhav said.
Citizenship Bill "Grants Rights, Doesn't Snatch It", Says Amit Shah
Congress leader Manish Tewari opposes the Bill by saying that it is unconstitutional
- We are notwithstanding fact that socialist and secular were added to the constitution, concept of secularism was very much embedded in our constitution. But this bill overturns the aspect. There is no need to ratify international law.
- Today, the Home minister said Congress was responsible for partition. If there is anyone who took view of two nation theory, it was VD Savarkar in Hindu Mahasabha, not Congress
- The Opposition knows why this was bought.
- I want to tell government, that they are going to make a huge mistake
- When India became independent, a debate began. In August 10, 1949, Dr BR Ambedkar said, "Except one other article in draft const, i do not think any other article has given drafting committee such a headache as this article".
- At that time, India's constitution makers decided citizenship will be based on two types -- blood and geographic.
- Till 2019, the law was amended eight times. But this time, what is being witnessed, wasn't being witnessed before.
- Article 14 says equality before law -- meaning that any person, irrespective of being Indian or not, will be seen equally under constitution, but this Bill goes against that. This means that you can, with any citizen, discriminate with respect to religion
Can you do discrimination while giving citizenship to people? Amit Shah
Amit Shah said we are including Manipur in Inner Line Permit system, this big issue has now been resolved. I thank PM Modi on behalf of people of Manipur for fulfilling this long standing demand.
Don't protest: Amit Shah to the people of Northeast
I have consulted and discussed with 140 groups, with all chief ministers I have had a discussion for 119 hours. There is a long list, but I will not read all of it.
HM Amit Shah: We are including Manipur in Inner Line Permit system,this big issue has now been resolved. I thank PM Modi on behalf of people of Manipur for fulfilling this long standing demand. #CitizenshipAmendmentBill2019 https://t.co/UrwuJwaqJI
- ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2019
In 1947, all refugees which came in, all were accepted by the Indian constitution: Amit Shah
HM Amit Shah: In 1947, all refugees which came in, all were accepted by the Indian constitution, there would hardly be any region of the country where refugees from West and East Pakistan didn't settle. From Manmohan Singh ji to LK Advani ji, all belong to this category. pic.twitter.com/PHOJ0oP2kJ
- ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2019
Home Minister Amit Shah moves the motion to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill
- I think elections should be fought over party's thoughts. This is not a poll agenda. It is the sentiments of the people. In our 2019 manifesto, I was assigned the responsibility.
- What was written in election manifesto?
- Who is discriminating? Not me. But the minority is from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Minorities should get their rights
- For many years, these people did not have authority for buying homes, education, hygiene. Lakhs of crores of people had been suffering. With the CAB, they will gain respect.
- Under the Narendra Modi government, those who have been till date, living in unhealthy conditions, have got a good, hygienic life
- We are not stealing any rights
- My request to opposition is to listen peacefully. listen to me also. I am also a parliamentarian. 18 lakh ppl have elected me also.
- If we take part in this debate, let it be respecting the principles of the house
- Government should stop infiltrators and this is the responsibility of the government. Will the country be open for everyone (desh sabke liye khula chhod denge?) No country does this
- All countries make their laws, and so do we
- Home Minister Amit Shah moves the motion to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. He denies that there is any political agenda in the Bill and says that the bill only seeks to provide refuge to persecuted minorities of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
- Article 14 has been violated and this has happened many times. It has happened under the governments of those who are opposing it right now
- Home Minister Amit Shah moves the motion to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. He denies that there is any political agenda in the Bill and says that the bill only seeks to provide refuge to persecuted minorities of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
- Manmohan Singh and LK Advani both were refugees
- When Indira Gandhiji had rightly intervened, created Bangladesh, those who came here were given citizenship. No one opposed, not our party either. There were tickets for all of them.
- In Uganda, Indians were kicked out
- I want to say with emphasis to Bengal politicians that don't put blocks on citizens. Prove that this bill is discriminatory and I will take it away.
- Any foreigner, without passport, visa, is considered illegal.
- Those who entered the country from December 2014, would be given citizenship.
- When Rajnath Singh was home minister, people were given long term visa. They had been given permission before but now this bill is to assign them citizenship
#LokSabha takes up The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 for discussion#WinterSession #शीतकालीनसत्र pic.twitter.com/AK6jaFdSxA
- Lok Sabha TV (@loksabhatv) December 9, 2019
The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019 introduced in Lok Sabha
Opposition Protests Citizenship Bill Citing Article 14. What Is It: 5 PointsHome Minister Amit Shah introduced the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, or CAB, in parliament today to a chorus of opposition voices that repeatedly cited Article 14, reminding Mr Shah and the centre that the Constitution of India prohibits the State from denying any individual, irrespective of their citizenship status, equality before the law within the territory of India.
The proposed CAB seeks to amend a six-decade-old law to make it easier for non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to become Indian citizens. Several opposition parties and leaders, including MPs from the Northeast who are allied with the ruling BJP, have called the proposed law discriminatory and alleged it is contrary to the basic tenet of secularism enshrined in the Constitution.
Voting on introduction of Citizenship Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha. 293 MPs voted yes, 82 MPs voted no.
Watch | "In 1971, Indira Gandhi had opened India to Bangladesh. Why not to people from Pakistan? Article 14 was valid then too": Amit Shah in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/ouKWTIwSMA
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 9, 2019
Watch | "Congress, not us, divided the country on the basis of religion": Amit Shah in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/p4Hi90XKkt
- NDTV (@ndtv) December 9, 2019
Lok Sabha to vote on introduction of Citizenship Amendment Bill
There have been questions raised on the violation of Article 14, for this, I would like to read out the Article 14, Says Amit Shah
What Amit Shah said:
- I want to assure the members of this house, people across the nation that the CAB does not violate any article of the constitution
- Article 14 does not come in the way of framing laws
- In 1970, Indira Gandhi took a decision to give citizenship to those from Bangladesh. Why can't people from Pakistan be given citizenship. I can understand the reason of Adhir ranjan Chowdhary's anger.
- Under Assam Accord, immigrants till 1971 were accepted... why not after that?
- I can discuss laws from across the world that talk about equality. If this is how we want to define equality, why doesn't it apply to the minorities we are referring to, Amit Shah asked
- "We Have Been Elected For 5 Years... You Will have to hear us out," Amit Shah said.
- In our bill, we are talking about citizenship for countries close to us - Pakistan, Afghanistan Bangladesh
- For Afghanistan, Islam is state religion same for Pakistan and Bangaldesh.
- This bill will not violate any provision of Article 371... I believe this bill comes under purview of parliament's competence. Minorities in these countries have suffered immensely
Asaduddin Owaisi's remarks on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill expunged in parliament.
Don't Walk Out, Says Amit Shah To Opposition On Citizenship Amendment BillHome Minister Amit Shah today led the discussion from the government's side on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha. He asked the opposition leaders not to walk out. "I will answer all your questions when the bill is being discussed, don't walk out from the house then," the Home Minister said. The controversial bill seeks to make it easy for non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to become Indian citizens.
Constitution Amendment Bill Introduced In Lok Sabha
A bill which seeks to extend by ten years the reservation given to SCs and STs in Lok Sabha and state assemblies was introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday.
A similar reservation for the Anglo-Indian community in Lok Sabha and state assemblies is not being extended.
The reservation given to SCs, STs and the Anglo-Indian community for the past 70 years is to end on January 25, 2020.
Saugat Roy (TMC) opposed the introduction of the Constitution (126th) Amendment Bill, saying the Anglo-Indian community is being deprived.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said as of now, there are only 296 members of the Anglo-Indian community.
Saugat Roy's opposition was rejected by a voice vote.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) national secretary PK Kunhalikutty has given Adjournment Motion Notice in the Lok Sabha opposing introduction of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), 2019.
The provision does not mention the term "Muslims" anywhere, said Amit Shah amid uproar in the house over introduction of Citizenship Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha.
Opposition protest while introducing Citizenship Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha. "Citizenship bill is unconstitutional," says Congress.
It provides differential treatment on the basis of religion. Right to religion is applicable to everyone - citizen or not. If this goes to the court of law, it will be struck down, so the parliament should not introduce this bill, an MP opposing the introduction of Citizenship Amendment Bill said.
Amit Shah seeks permission to introduce the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha
The Home Minister said, the Citizenship Amendment Bill is not against minorities and that they will answer on each aspect of the bill in the house.
Citizenship Amendment Bill to be tabled in Lok Sabha.
Protests over Citizen Amendment Bill
Union Muslim League MPs protested in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament premises, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) demonstrated in Jantar Mantar and held up placards saying that the bill was against the idea of India.
"We reject this bill. It is against the Constitution and against Hindu-Muslim unity," Badruddin Ajmal, Lok Sabha AIUDF MP from Dhubri, Assam, told reporters when asked about the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
"This Bill is against the constitution and against Hindu-Muslim unity. We will reject this Bill and Opposition is with us on it. We will not let this Bill pass," Badruddin Ajmal, Assam MP, told news agency ANI.
Shops Closed In Guwahati Amid Protests Against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill
Shashi Tharoor Submits Notice In Lok Sabha Against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Monday submitted a notice in the Lok Sabha to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill at the introduction stage on the grounds that it "violates" the fundamental right to equality, news agency PTI reported.
Mr Tharoor submitted the notice this morning under Rule 72 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha.
The Bill violates the Fundamental Right to Equality prescribed by Article 14 since it infringes upon the principle of "equality before law" and the "equal protection of laws" guaranteed to all persons, including non-citizens, Mr Tharoor said in his notice.
Citizenship Amendment Bill: Home Minister Amit Shah Arrives In Parliament
Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives at Parliament. Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) is in Lok Sabha's List of Business for today, to be introduced by the minister. pic.twitter.com/lGWR2Q0xSR
- ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2019
