New Delhi: The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to give Indian nationality to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, was passed by the Lower House after a day-long debate on Monday. The BJP is confident of the bill’s passage in the Rajya Sabha although it doesn’t have a majority in the Upper House.
Opposition parties include the Congress, AIMIM and the Trinamool Congress. The Congress has issued a 3-line whip mandating its members in the Rajya Sabha to be present during the presentation of the bill.
The BJP is certain that it will get support from parties such as the AIADMK, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), the TDP and BJD– all of which are outside the fold of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
“The Citizenship Bill will be written in golden letters. It will give permanent relief to people who fled religious persecution,” reported PTI.