Home Minister Amit Shah has tabled the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha for its final passage to grant citizenship to non-Muslim immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who faced persecution in their countries.
After a successful passage in Lok Sabha on Monday, the contentious Bill that has provoked widespread protests across the Northeast and several parts of India will now face a crucial test in Rajya Sabha. However, it looks like Amit Shah will have a smooth sail in Rajya Sabha as well as the numbers stack up in favour of NDA. The Bill has faced violent protests in Northeast, with students organisations in Assam observing a bandh on Tuesday and opposition parties, academics, authors and the intelligentsia demanded an immediate withdrawal of the Bill saying it will divide the nation into two.
Amit Shah: No Muslim in India needs to worry because of the Citizenship Bill. Don't be scared if someone tries to scare you. This is Narendra Modi's Govt working according to the Constitution and minorities will get full protection.
Amit Shah ends his remarks on Citizenship Bill, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu allots 6 hours for debate on the Bill. Rajya Sabha now opens for debate to discuss the Bill. Naidu asks MPs to stick to time frame.
Amit Shah: Indian Muslims have nothing to fear
Amit Shah: People voted for us after we made our intentions with Citizenship Bill clear in our manifesto. I don't understand what are your concerns. Do you want us to grant citizenship to Muslims from all nations? We cannot run a country like that. But Indian Muslims have nothing to fear.