What is the main purpose of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019?a)T...
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, proposes to grant citizenship to specific communities including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. It aims to provide citizenship to those who have faced religious persecution in these countries.
What is the main purpose of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019?a)T...
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, was introduced in India with a specific focus on the religious persecution faced by certain communities in neighboring countries. Here’s a detailed explanation of its main purpose:
Granting Citizenship to Specific Communities
- The bill aims to provide a pathway for Indian citizenship to non-Muslim religious minorities from three specific neighboring countries:
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Afghanistan
- The communities mentioned in the bill include:
- Hindus
- Sikhs
- Buddhists
- Jains
- Parsis
- Christians
Exemption and Criteria
- The bill exempts certain areas from the provisions of the Inner Line Permit and the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which protect the rights of indigenous populations in specific regions.
- To qualify, individuals must have entered India on or before December 31, 2014, and must have faced religious persecution in their home countries.
Controversy and Criticism
- The bill has faced significant controversy and criticism, primarily because it distinguishes between communities based on religion, leading to allegations of discrimination against Muslims.
- Critics argue that it undermines the secular framework of the Indian Constitution by not providing similar provisions for Muslim refugees.
In summary, the main purpose of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, is to grant citizenship specifically to religious minorities from the specified neighboring countries, thereby creating a pathway for those fleeing persecution.
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