Amid objections raised by opposition leaders, the Lok Sabha cleared the Citizenship Amendment Bill on Monday , with 311 voting in support and 80 against the Legislation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who introduced the bill, had earlier rejected the opposition's claim that it violates the constitution's core principles of equality by saying that it was not even "0.001% against India's minorities".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Lok Sabha minutes after the legislation was passed. "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," he tweeted.
An 11-hour shutdown began in the Northeast today against the legislation. The shutdown which began at 5 am will continue till 4 pm.
Here are the updates, reactions to the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
BJP leader GVL Narasimha Rao on Tuesday said that AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi should stop spreading falsehoods about the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill as it has nothing to do with the existing citizens of the country. "Mr Owaisi's citizenship is not going to go as he is an Indian Muslim. He should stop spreading falsehoods about the bill in the country. All Indian Muslims or any Indian citizen will not be affected by this bill. It is only for the refugees who have faced religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan and their relief," Mr Rao told news agency ANI.
Some parties and people with vested interest are drumming up fear amongst religious minorities because they know that this nation and all religions are more safer with PM @narendramodi
- Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) December 10, 2019
Modi government religion is the constitution of India https://t.co/5jmARNeQIQ
"The #CAB is an attack on the Indian constitution. Anyone who supports it is attacking and attempting to destroy the foundation of our nation," tweets Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Leaders of IYC refuse to submit to this immoral act by not submitting the requisite documents needed to prove citizenship. We'll follow the path of satyagraha to stand along with our brothers & sisters rather than be a mute spectator to their disenfranchisement#CABNRCSatyagraha pic.twitter.com/wWTHkODKUe
- Youth Congress (@IYC) December 10, 2019
Tripura: Protest being held in Agartala against #CitizenshipAmendmentBill2019 pic.twitter.com/vi8yWzdceW
- ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2019
Congress leader P Chidambaram. who was released on bail last week, tweeted this morning that the Citizenship Amendment Bill is "Unconstitutional".
CAB is unconstitutional. Parliament passes a Bill that is patently unconstitutional and the battle ground shifts to the Supreme Court.
- P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) December 10, 2019
Elected Parliamentarians are abdicating their responsibilities in favour of lawyers and judges!
At the stroke of midnight hour, while the world slept, India's ideals of liberty, equality, fraternity and justice were betrayed
- Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) December 9, 2019
I fought hard against it & I promise every Indian that this fight isn't over
Don't let hopelessness come near you
Be defiant, be strong https://t.co/X5qtEU0Pvt
