Citizenship Amendment Bill does not violate Article 14, Indian Muslims are safe: Ami Shah in RS
New Delhi/IBNS: Speaking during a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday defended the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, which has been already passed in the Lok Sabha and awaits the approval of the Upper House, and said the bill does not violate Article 14, which ensures equality to all before law.
"Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 is not a violation of Article 14. This comes under 'reasonable classification' as there are 6 religious groups that are listed," said Shah while replying to the debate on the Bill in the Upper House.
He accused the Congress party of creating division in the country based on religion.
"The Bill is not against the minorities of the country," he stated.
Amid reports of heavy violence from the North East, the Union Home Minister said: "I want to assure the people of North East that we will never touch Article 371."
Slamming the Congress for opposing the Bill, Shah said: "In 1971, when Mrs. Indira Gandhi granted citizenship to Bangladeshi refugee, why didn't she do the same with Pakistanis? If it was based on Article 14 only, then why exclude Pakistanis?"
Assuring the Muslim Community, he said: "This Bill will not snatch the rights of the Muslims. This Bill is for granting citizenship not taking away citizenship."
"There are attempts to spread misinformation that this Bill is against Muslims. Let me put it on record that it is not. This Bill is only for minority communities of neighbouring countries. It has nothing to do with Muslims in India," Shah said.
"Indian Muslims are safe and shall always remain safe. I appeal to the Indian Muslims that please do get affected by misinformation. Please do not be misguided. Please do not live in fear. Live fearlessly," he added.
Meanwhile, violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill continues in Assam’s capital city Guwahati on Wednesday and several protester-police clash incidents were reported from various parts.
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019, now awaits the nod in the Rajya Sabha, will grant citizenship to all non-Muslim refugees who came to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan on or before Dec 31, 2014.
The Bill has courted controversy as several opposition parties claim that the CAB violates Article 14- which provides the right to equality- of the Constitution.
The CAB was passed in Lok Sabha with the support of 311 members while 80 MPs opposed it.
Image Credit: BJP4India Official twitter Handle
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