Citizenship Bill gets final nod: 'Victory of bigoted forces' or 'landmark day'?
As Indian Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill, country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed it a landmark day for India; however Congress president Sonia Gandhi said the passage of the bill marks a "dark day" in constitutional history of India.
The bill, that seeks to fast-track citizenship to persecuted non-Muslims minorities coming to India from three neighbouring countries - Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, was passed with 125 members voting for it and 105 voting against it.
Narendra Modi has tweeted saying: "A landmark day for India and our nation's ethos of compassion and brotherhood! Glad that the #CAB2019 has been passed in the #RajyaSabha. Gratitude to all the MPs who voted in favour of the Bill. This Bill will alleviate the suffering of many who faced persecution for years."
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Severely criticising the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill by Parliament, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said it marks a "dark day" in the constitutional history of India and is a "victory of narrow minded and bigoted forces" over the country's pluralism.
Meanwhile massive protests erupted in Assam, Tripura and other states on Wednesday as India passed over controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
The civil administration has requisitioned three army columns to quell mass protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Tripura and Assam.
They have also suspended mobile internet services in ten districts of Assam for 24 hours from 7pm Wednesday.
Furthermore, a curfew was imposed in Guwahati, Assam from 6:15pm till 7am Thursday, which was later extended for an indefinite period, reports Press Trust of India.
