Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Lok Sabha on December 9.
The Bill seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 by seeking to grant citizenship to undocumented and illegal non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.
Here are the live updates:
After a marathon debate, Lok Sabha passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
Ayes: 311
Nos: 80
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is not in violation of constitutional provisions, Home Minister Amit Shah asserted on Monday night as he responded to a debate on the contentious legislation in the Lok Sabha.
"It will give relief to people living a painful life after facing persecution in neighbouring countries," he said.
"Had India not been divided on religious lines, there was no need for the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill," he said targeting the opposition Congress.
"The Bill is not violative of Article 14 of the Constitution as it aims to give citizenship to persecuted people," he said.
According to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, till December 31 2014, facing religious persecution there, will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship.
The Bill, which has been opposed by the Congress, Trinamool Congress and other Opposition parties, was introduced after a division of votes for which 293 MPs voted in favour and 82 against it.
Mr. Shah asserted "Will never accept Rohingya refugees as citizens." He also said "India doesn’t need refugee policy, has enough laws for protection of refugees."
Mr. Shah also stated that the northeastern States have welcomed the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
Mr. Shah stated "Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was first to give citizenship based on religion." He also added "NRC will be implemented pan-India."
The Union Home Minister stated that "Narendra Modi government’s only religion is Constitution."
The Home Minister said had India not been divided on religious lines in 1947, there was no need for the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
“Muslim population in India has increased from 9.8 per cent in 1951 to 14.8 per cent in 2011 while the Hindu population has decreased from 84 per cent in 1951 to 79 per cent in 2011.
“Whereas, the minority population in Pakistan has decreased from 23 per cent in 1947 to 3.7 per cent in 2011. Similarly minority population in Bangladesh has decreased from 22 per cent in 1947 to 7 per cent in 2011,” he said, adding India does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion.
“No one should have any fear of being persecuted under the Narendra Modi government,” he said after nearly seven-hour-long debate which was marked by fiery speeches by MPs belonging to both the opposition and the ruling alliance.
A.M. Arif of the CPI (M), Kerala opposes the Bill.
E.T Mohammed Basheer of IUML (Kerala) opposes the Bill.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor repeats that if this Bill is passed, this will be a victory for Jinnah's ideals. "This Bill is marking a partition of India's soul," he says.
The drama continues in the Lok Sabha as AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi tears a copy of the Citizenship Amendment Bill during his speech, calls the Bill unconstitutional.
"This an insult to India’s freedom-fighters, he said. "The bill is against the Constitution. It is a conspiracy to make Muslims stateless.
“Are you afraid of China?” he asked, referring to why India had not considered China, as one of its neighbours.
Sukhbir Singh Badal of Shiromani Akali Dal says his party backs the Bill. He also urged the government to include sects from the Muslim community, who are facing persecution in neighbouring countries, in the Citizenship Amendment Bill as it will send a positive signal. He also urged the government to include Ahmediyas and Hazaras in the ambit of the Bill as they too are facing persecution in neighbouring countries.
He talks about the horrors of partition, the minorities who stayed back in Pakistan and how some were kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam, in line with the majority community. He says Sikhism embraces secularism. "This Bill is going to protect the Sikh community", he says before signing off.
Congress leader from Assam Gaurav Gogoi : "I vehementally oppose the Bill. The Home Minister should apologise to the one lakh Gurkhas who defend our borders and found themselves out of NRC."
Meenakshi Lekhi takes the Chair
Revolutionary Socialtist Party leader NK Premachandran says his party opposes the Bill.
Indra Hang Subba of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha strongly opposes the Bill and he says Sikkim should be exempt from the Bill.
Tokheho Yepthomi of NDPP (Nagaland) says he supports the Bill. He thanks the government for exempting Nagaland from the Bill. S. Lalrosanga of Mizo National Front thanks the government for exempting Mizoram from the Bill. However, he alerts the Centre about religious persecution. His party supports the Bill.
Agatha Sangma of NFF (Meghalaya) supports the Bill. She thanks the Home Minister for consulting the Northeastern States. She requests the HM to exempt the entire Northeast and not just the Sixth Schedule areas. She seeks clarification from the HM about where the people eligible for citizenship will be relocated, if there is a specific area.
Nama Nageswara Rao of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) speaks. He cuts straight to the point. "We oppose this Bill." He requests that the Bill be amended to include the minority Muslims as well. He then speaks in Telugu.
Dr. ST Hasan of Samajwadi Party says his party opposes the Bill.
Chirag Paswan of LJP gives a rousing speech in support of the Bill. He says minorities need not fear anything.
P.K Kunhalikutty of IUML (Kerala) says his party "vehementally opposes the Bill." Today you divide the nation in the name of religion, tomorrow it will be on language, all this in the name of Patel. This is a communal agenda, against the Constitution. I am sure this will not stand in the Supreme Court, he signs off.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress says his party opposes the Bill, explaining that the idea of extending citizenship on the basis of religion is wrong.
BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi speaks: "Migration without persecution is called silent invasion." She recalls the story of Jogendra Nath Mandal, a former minister in Pakistan who migrated to India after partition after witnessing persecution of minorities in Pakistan.
Abhishek Banerjee of Trinamool Congress speaks. He says Swami Vivekananda, had he been alive, would have been appalled that we are having this discussion on this Bill. Mr Banerjee talks about Sardar Patel's definition of what unity is. It would be distasterous if we do not uphold the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Patel, Vivekananda, he says. It is causing me great anguish and pain. Our India is all about peace. But your idea of India is all about lynchings. Our India is inclusive, your India is divisive, he says as members applaud.
Why limit this to only 3 countries, he asks. Sri Lanka is there, Myanmar was part of British India. Why don't you consider them? Because they don't serve your political hunger. He says that NRC is a disaster. It failed in 1 State and now you want to do it all over India, he says. He gives examples of how it is a failure in Assam. He talks about people who lost their lives trying to obtain the right documents. Why this hatred towards Bengalis, he asks. The CAB is anti-India, anti-Bengali also, he claims.
He lists out the contributions by Bengal to national integration. He says Bengalis Hindus have been treated poorly in the refugee camps. The Speaker ask him to conclude. "You cannot demonitise the people of this nation, Bengalis," he says as the noise in the House picks up. It's the poor who are suffering, he says. We will fight to the last drop of our blood and not allow NRC in Bengal, he concludes.
Midhun Reddy of YSRCP speaks.
Our party believes in religious harmony. Our party supports this Bill. However we request the govt. to proceed with caution because there are minotiries from neighbouring countries and our own that feel persecuted, he says. This Bill is going to propel the influx of refugees in a big way. The govt should make proper plans to provide enough funds. We have had Tamilians who have come from Sri Lanka.
Vinayak Raut from Shiv Sena speaks. I don't understand why Afghanistan is in this list, he says. He asks what the govt plans to do about the extra burden on India. There are other issues like the economy, jobs.
Meanwhile in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House passes the Recycling of Ships Bill, 2019.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh of JD(U) says his party supports the Bill.
Supriya Sule of Nationalist Congress Party speaks. She says her party does not support the Bill. Is this Bill being brought on because the NRC has failed, she asks. The average Muslim is feeling insecure today, she says. She wants the Home Minister Shah to clarify what they want to do with athiests. She too asks why India is leaving out Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. She says the Bill may have been brought on with some good intentions but this will be struck down in Supreme Court, addressing Mr Shah.
Rajendra Agrawal, BJP, says the Bill will protect the rights of those who did not get citizenship post partition.
He asks if someone who enters the country with intent to harm can be considered a refugee.
There needs to be differentiation between refugees and infiltrators, he adds.
He accuses the Opposition of selective sensitivity, alleging that they are not troubled by the plight of minorities in Pakistan or Afghanistan.
The Congress party post-independence misconstrued secularism to connote being anti-Hindutva, he alleges, adding that this was driven by vote-bank politics.
Dayanidhi Maran, DMK, opposes the Bill. He says he comes from a State where the right-wing party was not voted to power. The north and the south think differently when it comes to the Bill, he says.
"Your Bill is half-hearted," he says, talking about Sri Lankan Tamils who have not found a place in the Bill. The government is preoccupied with its hatred for Muslims, he says.
The fear of being isolated by the west has led to the sudden inclusion of Christians in the Bill, he alleges.
If Pakistan takes an anti-minority step, why should India do the same, he asks.
"What about atheists?" he asks, mentioning Taslima Nasrin.
The 20 crore Muslims living in India have been under constant fear since 2014. They have been persecuted, lynched, he says. "You're not the Home Minister only for those who voted for you. You are the Home Minister for the entire country," he tells Mr. Shah.
The Speaker extends the hours of the House till the conclusion of discussion on the Bill.
The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019, is passed by the Lok Sabha.
Amit Shah moves motion to discuss the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019.
He says if minorities are entitled to special provisions, then minorities in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh also deserve those provisions.
He says the Bill is the reflection of the BJP's 2014 and 2019 manifestos which were approved by the citizens of India.
Should the country be left open for just about anyone, he asks.
The Bill does not encroach upon anybody's rights, he says.
He details the provisions of the Bill. Those citizens who entered India by 31 December, 2014, and whose entrance was legally sanctioned, will not be considered illegal immigrants, he says.
Irrespective of the possession of ration cards, said minorities staying in Bengal and the northeast will be given citizenship.
N.K. Premachandran, RSP, proposes an amendment: that the Bill be circulated to elicit discussion by March, 2020.
Manish Tewari, INC, opposes the Bill, calling it unconstitutional. There are two bases to citizenship, he says: geographic and familial. Artciles 14, 15, 21, 24, 25 would be violated by the Bill, he says.
He reads out Article 14, saying every individual, irrespective of citizenship, will be equal before Indian law. When you cannot discriminate on the basis of citizenship, can you discriminate while giving citizenship, he asks.
The Bill is also against Indian tradition, he says. A holistic refugee law should be brought- one that would go beyond religious considerations., he says.
The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019, is being discussed.
Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, BJP, says shooters have a very limited number of weapons available to then. Junior, aspirational and renowned shooters should be allowed more weapons, he says, if the sport is to be developed.
He also asks that license-holding citizens should be allowed to hold deactivated weapons apart from two activated weapons.
Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM, opposes the Bill. The government wants to trample upon the State list. No MP or MLA should get security from the government unless there is perceived security threat, he adds. This should not be the taxpayer's burden, he says.
NCRB data shows a large number of unlicensed weapons, he says. He asks why the Bill prohibits punishment for celebratory gunfire. He cites an incident where many deaths occurred in U.P. due to celebratory gunfire.
Mala Roy, AITC, asks what steps will be taken to prevent smuggling of arms and ammunition into the country.
The Recycling of ships Bill, 2019, is being discussed.
Prasanna Acharya (BJD) wants to know why 'other ships' of the government will not come under the purview of the law. He also wants to know if by implementing this law, we are going to squeeze or expand the opportunity for employment. He too puts forth a request for more ports in Odisha.
Dr. Banda Prakash, TRS, says the impact of the industry on the environment and the safety and workers' safety is not considered enough in the Bill.
K. Somaprasad, CPI(M), also says workers' safety and impact on environment are crucial issues. Coastal ecology is also harmed due to the ship-breaking industry. Asbestos is one of the main hazardous wastes and causes risk of cancer among workers engaged in ship-recycling, he adds.
Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena) asks if gun owners who have licenses have been convicted of serious crimes.
Mahabali Singh (JD-U) says the law is not strong enough.
Ashwini Vaishnaw (BJP) says Odisha, despite having a long coastline, does not have enough ports. He says that 5 lakh jobs can be created through developing this sector.
Sukhendu Sekhar Ray (Trinamool) also supports the Bill.
Vijila Satyananth (AIADMK) rises to support the Bill.
House reconvenes. The House takes up the Recycling of Ships Bill.
The Arms (Amendment) Bill is taken up for introduction.
Praneet Kaur (INC) says the government has reduced the number of arms that persons are allowed to hold to two. She says it needs to be increased to three firearms as earlier.
Satya Pal Singh (BJP) speaks in support of the Bill.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar seeks to introduce a bill to curb sea piracy. Shashi Tharoor opposes the Bill saying the death penalty clause in the Bill will make it difficult for India to engage with other countries.
Mr. Jaishankar says the death penalty is only in case of murder. The Bill is introduced.
Lok Sabha takes division on whether the Bill can be taken up for discussion.
The results:
Please note, this pertains to whether the Bill can be taken up for discussion and not the actual passage of the Bill. The figures are subject to correction.
Amit Shah introduces the Bill.
Home Minister Amit Shah says the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill seeks to provide citizenship to religious minorities of India's neighbouring countries that share land border.
A member asks, what about Nepal?
War of words between Trinamool Congress and BJP members. Ruckus in the House.
How is Afghanistan or 'neighbour'? A member asks. I know geography, Mr. Shah responds. We share 106 km land border with Afghanistan, he adds. Mr. Shah says maybe the opposition thinks PoK is not part of India.
Mr. Shah goes on to say according to their Constitution Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have a state religion — Islam. What about Sri Lankan refugees, ask DMK MPs.
He recalls how both India and Pakistan assured the minorities will be taken care of in their lands, at the time of Partition. He refers to Nehru-Liaqat agreement.
Mr. Shah makes a slip. He refers to Muslims as minorities in Pakistan. Opposition takes note. Mr. Shah corrects it. He claims Muslims will not face any oppression in Islamic nations.
Amit Shah says Article 371 is in tact, this will doesn't violate it.
Amit Shah says that the Bill does not violate the Constitution.
Members argue the Bill violates Article 11 and 14. Mr. Shah refutes. He says the Article 14 doesn't stop the government from making laws based on religion. He recalls how Indira Gandhi government allowed citizenship for those who came from Bangladesh after the 1971 war. Mr. Shah asks why was Pakistan excluded from the law?
Mr. Shah recalls how the previous governments approved citizenship to those who came from Uganda. Citizenship across the world is granted based on "reasonable classification."
Doesn't Article 14 get violated when people are given reservation, he asks. Opposition objects.
Saugata Ray rises to oppose the Bill, under rule 72(1) of the rules of the House. He says that the Home Minister being new to the House is not aware of the rules of the House.
Speaker reads out all those who have opposed the introduction of the Bill.
He reads out Article 14 of the Constitution. He asks Opposition to say why the Bill should not be introduced.
Shashi Tharoor says he opposes the Parliament's legislative competence to bring this Bill.
Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) says that secularism is part of the basic structure of the country. He says this also violates fundamental rights. He says that if this Bill is introduced, the Home Minister's name will go down in history along with Hitler.
S.S. Ahluwalia (BJP) speaks in support of the Bill.
Mr. Chowdhury asks the government if they don't like it that he is reading out the Preamble.
N.K. Premachandran (RSP) rises to oppose the Bill, but he is interrupted by the Treasury Benches.
Mr. Chowdhury says the Bill is unconstitutional. He says it goes against Articles 5, 10, 14 and 15 of the Constitution.
Mr. Premachandran says he challenges the legislative competence of the Bill. This is the first time in the history of India, to attain citizenship, one of the main characteristics is religion. He also says it goes against Article 14. The clauses violate Article 25 and 26, the freedom to practice religion.
P.K. Kunhalikutty says that the ruling party should understand that what they are doing is against the Constitution. He says the government should withdraw the Bill.
Mr. Shah says the Bill does not name Muslims in anyway. Mr. Kunhalikutty says that the government has named all other communities but Muslims.
Amit Shah wants to introduce the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says that it is a regressive legislation, and targets minorities. Mr. Shah responds that this Bill does not target minorities in anyway. Mr. Chowdhury says that on January 22, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru had presented an objective resolution that was adopted, which was for the shaping of our Constitution.
Mr. Chowdhury reads out the Preamble to the Constitution. He is interrupted by the Treasury Benches. He says, “If you disturb, then where will I speak?”
Amit Shah says Mr. Chowdhury is not speaking about the Bill and that he is willing to debate it when it comes up for consideration.
Speaker says the same.
Saugata Ray raises a point of order that what the Home Minister is saying is not right. A person may oppose a Bill per se, without any detail. T.R. Baalu brings up Sri Lankan Tamils, but Mr. Shah says that the House can discuss it when the Bill is taken up for consideration.
Ravi Shankar Prasad seeks the House’s leave to introduce a Bill to abolish the reservation for Anglo-Indians in legislative bodies. Saugata Ray (Trinamool) opposes the Bill as it is unconstitutional in nature.
Mr. Prasad says that the government is concerned about merit. He says according to the 2011 Census there are only 296 Anglo-India legislators in the country.
The Bill is introduced.
Papers are laid on the table.
Pralhad Joshi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister asks that Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has to apologise to the House.
Mr. Chowdhury says that the Minister or the Centre does not understand that this House is not a king's court. He says he has the right to represent the voice of the people. He says the House continued on that day.
Speaker says everyone should remember the dignity of the House. We are all live. He says he will look into it and deliver justice to all Members.
Shanta Chhetri (Trinamool) says that tea garden workers need to be compensated by the government.
Sonal Mansingh (Nominated) says that performing artistes have no voice. When they travel, specifically by Air India, if professional instruments are broken — instead of apologising the airline asks artistes to buy another seat. She says Ministries of Culture and Aviation should come together and discuss this issue.
T. Subburami Reddy (INC) speaks about vacancies in High Courts, despite the Supreme Court recommending 100 names for this.
Manas Ranjan Bunia (Trinamool) brings up a big agricultural project in West Bengal.
L. Hanumanthaiah (INC) speaks about the Maternity Benefit scheme and the amount of ₹6,000 to be given. The Matru Vandana scheme violates the Food Security Act and benefits are capped at 5,000.
N. Reddeppa (YSRCP) speaks about unemployment rate. He wants to know what measures the Centre has taken so far to improve the employment rate and what the outcome of those measures is.
Santosh Gangwar, MoS, Labour Minister cites the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Vikas Yojana and the number of jobs created by it. He also cites the Mudra Yojana and the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Antyoday Yojana. He says the Centre has been increasing the salary every year under MNREGA too.
Shashi Tharoor (INC) says that the Kerala government instead of hiring people through employment exchanges, is taking them in through other means. He asks if the Centre has a national obligations as far as policy is concerned. Mr. Gangwar says that the Centre is setting up 200 career centres as model employment exchanges.
Anurag Thakur, MoS, Finance, answers questions on NABARD projects.
Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJD) asks about RIDF (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund) funding. He says priority sector lending is not happening much in Odisha. What is the Centre doing about this, he asks.
Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister says she will look into forming a high-level committee to monitor long-term irrigation projects.
Vinayak Raut (Shiv Sena) says that money was sanctioned for 325 projects in Maharashtra, but only a part of the funding has come. Mr. Thakur says that Centre does not discriminate between States, and that States should also spend the fund wisely.
Tiruchi Siva (DMK) speaks on NEET-PG exams. He says the OBC reservation will not be applicable in State-owned colleges. He says Tamil Nadu, which has a medical college in every district is disadvantages. Out of 1538, OBCs should get over 800, but we are losing 450 seats. Why only OBCs are disadvantaged, he asks, especially when SC/ST and EWS quota are in place.
K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao (INC) speaks about the setting up of a petrochemical complex in Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.
Santanu Sen (Trinamool) speaks about the renaming of West Bengal as Bangla. He says that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has requested the name change three times, but it was turned down by the Centre.
Sasmit Patra (BJD) says the ISRO launch site in Odisha which is on an island and how the rise of sea level is affecting the site. He says that the Centre must ensure that such sensitive installations are taken care of.
In Lok Sabha, members are asking questions pertaining to migration of labourers. What measures have you taken to re-employ labourers who lost their jobs, Kalyan Banerjee (TMC) asks.
Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar says through Deendayal Upadyay Yojana, the government is imparting skills.
Thirumavalavan (VCK) asks why not waive off educational loans for rural youths who are unemployed. MoS Finance Anurag Thakur says upto Rs. 10 lakh loans are offered to students. There is a liberal repayment system. You get up to two years moratorium period. The banks give up to 15 years to repay their loans. He starts giving numbers, Speaker cuts his speech short.
Mr. Thirumavalavan says it is hard to get education loan for rural students. He requests the minister again to waive off loan. There is a portal called Vidyalakshmi portal. Collateral is not needed upto Rs. 4 lakh, he says.
Unemployment is 45 year high, says Manish Tewari. Treasury Benches object. Speaker asks him to stick to the question. Mr. Tewari asks if there is a central data to monitor education loans. Mr. Thakur says banks don't maintain such data, but the MHRD is monitoring it.
Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu is unhappy that ministers are not present in the House while laying papers and reports. He asks the concerned Ministers to meet the Chairman by 12 noon and explain why they couldn't come in person.
Vijay Goel and Sanjay Singh want to talk about Delhi fire. Mr. Naidu says if there are constructive suggestions, please say. No need to enter into blame game. Mr. Goel wants a magistrate inquiry into unauthorised buildings and factories.
Both Houses assemble.
Arun Singh takes oath as Rajya Sabha MP. Rajya Sabha pays tribute to those who lost their lives in Delhi accident.
A delegation of Maldives lawmakers are in Lok Sabha's gallery. Speaker welcomes them. The delegation will observe the Indian parliamentary system. Speaker takes up Question Hour.
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Monday hit out at the government over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, saying it is a “cab” ride with a divisive driver.
“CAB is a cab ride with a divisive driver to: destabilise, destroy our polity values both societal and constitutional with an eye only on political dividends. Hath milao Desh bachao!” Mr. Sibal, also a Rajya Sabha member, said in a tweet.
