NA passes resolution against Indian ‘anti-Muslim’ bill

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution moved by the Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari on the ‘Citizenship Amendment Act’ approved by India.

The resolution condemned the marginalisation of Muslims through the passing of such discriminatory acts which are meant to create chaos and anarchy in the region.

The bill amends the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who entered India on or before 31 December 2014, eligible for Indian citizenship.

The bill relaxes the requirement of residence in India from eleven years to six years for these migrants. Importantly, it is only applicable to the people from communities mentioned above and excluded Muslims.

The Union Cabinet cleared the bill for Parliament on 4 December 2019 and was passed by the Lok Sabha (Lower House) on December 10. The bill is to be presented to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) on 11 December 2019.

The Indian Parliament unanimously approved the bill while some showed dissent towards what has been dubbed an ‘anti-Muslim’ law.

The National Assembly of Pakistan rejected the immoral and unethical bill labeling it a gross violation of human rights.