BJP faces flak from North-East allies and protest from groups over Citizenship Bill, PM Modi praises it in Bengal
-Bill-2016s-impact-in-Assam-politics_147665_730x419-m.jpg "Citizenship Bill")
Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, PM Narendra Modi has announced his full support to the Citizenship Amendment Bill where as the North East is burning with protests against the draconian law, which if finalized, might create anti-Muslim narrative across the region.
The region has seen mass protests by the student unions, local parties and the allies of the BJP, who are a part of the North East Democratic Alliance. The Bill was introduced in the Parliament and was passed by the Lok Sabha as well.
Today, PM Modi, during a rally in Bengal’s Thakurnagar said, “We've brought the Citizenship amendment bill. I appeal to TMC to support this bill and let it pass in the Parliament.”
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has stated that “The Citizenship Bill is for entire nation, not only Assam... Then why unnecessary fear is being created among people? From where has this figure of 1.9 crore Hindu Bangladeshis coming to Assam emerged?”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing a public rally in Thakurnagar, West Bengal: We've brought the Citizenship amendment bill. I appeal to TMC to support this bill and let it pass in the Parliament. pic.twitter.com/LolSDzogiA
— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2019
Sonowal has further added that “We should not confuse people by saying that Assamese identity and culture will be finished. The opposition should behave responsibly.”
The bill is being seen as an anti-Muslim narrative, which the BJP is trying to spread across India and now have entered into Northeast as well. The immigrants of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who might come to India would get the citizenship irrespective of their religion, except Muslims, the bill preaches.
President Ram Nath Kovind said, “Citizenship Amendment Bill will make it easier to provide Indian citizenship to those who had to take refuge in India after facing oppression somewhere else. They were not at fault; they were victims of situations like that.”
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First published: 2 February 2019, 15:46 IST