Bill on citizenship to non-Muslim immigrants cleared in Lok Sabha

The Bill provides granting Indian citizenship to the Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill amid a walkout by several Opposition parties, including the Congress and Trinamool Congress. The Rajya Sabha is set to take up the Bill on Wednesday, which seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who piloted the Bill, said the proposed amendments in the law were not against the provisions of the Constitution and would provide succour to persecuted minorities in the three neighbouring countries.

Several opposition members, including those of the Trinamool Congress, Congress and Left parties, said the Bill was potentially divisive,