Citizenship Amendment Bill Debate: Govt Committed Towards NRC But Can’t Give Citizenship to Illegal Migrants, Says Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha
The Union Home Minister assured the House that there would be no discrimination in NRC.
New Delhi, January 8: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday stated in Lok Sabha that government is committed towards National Registrar of Citizens (NRC) and all the necessary steps will be taken to deal with illegal migrants under the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016. Singh also said that the Bill is not for Assam alone or for the betterment of migrants coming from a particular country, but also for migrants who have come from the Western borders and have settled down in states like Rajasthan, Punjab and Delhi.
Answering the queries asked by fellow parliamentarians in the Winter House of Parliament, the minister said, “We are committed toward NRC. There will be no discrimination in NRC. All the necessary steps will be taken to deal with illegal migrants.” Adding more, he said, “I want to clarify that the Citizenship Amendment Bill is not for Assam alone or for the betterment of migrants coming from a particular country. This Bill is also for migrants who have come from the Western borders and have settled down in Rajasthan, Punjab and Delhi.” Citizenship Amendment Bill May Not Get Through in Winter Session of Parliament.
The Home Minister pointed out that migrants have taken shelter in India and they feel safe here, but this can’t guarantee for citizenship. Singh stated, “The countries in which minorities were subjected to violence have only been able to find safe shelter in India. We regulated their entry, stay in India, but despite these changes they cannot apply for citizenship as they are considered migrants.”
Singh stated that the bill is not state or region specific. He said, “Misinformation being spread about the Citizenship Amendment Bill... This bill is not for Assam alone, nor is it in favour of migrants. The bill is for those who come to the country and are residing in any given state of the country. The bill is not state or region-specific.” However unsatisfied with the answer, Congress walked out of Lok Sabha.
Earlier, BJP ally Asom Gana Parishad withdrew the support on Monday stating that the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016, would nullify the ongoing debate of NRC.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 08, 2019 04:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).