As CAB faces floor test in Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah assures Indian Muslims need not worry

New Delhi, December 11: As the much talked about Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) receives a thundering acceptance in the Lok Sabha with 311 ‘Ayes’, the bill is undergoing it’s test in Rajya Sabha today. Union Minister Amit Shah tabling the bill in the Upper House scathing a remark at the opposition asserted that the bill does not speak about the Muslims living in India. The opposition has been dragging the Muslim religion for no particular reason as the Indian Muslims have nothing to worry about, then for whom are these people concerned? The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955, to provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists fleeing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Speaking in the Upper House, Shah mentioned that there has been an almost 20% decline each in population of religious minorities in both Pakistan and present-day Bangladesh. As the opposition mould the entire discussion purely on basis of religion, Amit Shah highlighted that minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan were not taken care of. He questioned the opposition parties why they are demanding to include Muslims under the ambit of new law. Further explaining why, the Muslims were not included, he said that the Central government has chosen three countries that share borders with India Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, because it is not possible to give asylum to Muslims from all over the world.

Highlighting the plight of minorities, Amit Shah said that it is unfortunate that the minorities in these three countries have not been given a chance to live as equals in society in their country. “Where will these people go? Should they continue to live in the way they are currently? Is that not a violation of their human rights?” he said. Amit Shah said many sections are claiming that the CAB is against the minorities. It is a blatant lie and comes from a place of ignorance, he said. Shah assured the House that under Narendra Modi, “no Indian Muslim needs to be afraid.”

 

Home Minister Amit Shah said that misinformation has been spread that this bill is against Muslims of India. "I want to ask the people saying this that how is this bill related to Indian Muslims? They are Indian citizens and will always remain, no discrimination against them," he said. Explaining the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Amit Shah said refugees who have entered India before 31 December, 2014 will be granted citizenship on the day they arrived here. Any cases pertaining to migration will be withdrawn. The Bill will not be applicable in Inner Line Permit areas of north-eastern states, he said.