There is no connection between the detention centre and NRC or CAA. The centre has been there for years and is for illegal migrants. Misinformation is being spread on this, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah in an interview on Tuesday.&nbsp;

"Detention of illegal immigrants is a continuous process. Detention centres have nothing to do with NRC. If a foreigner is arrested without documents, he is kept at detention centres and they are deported later," Shah said.&nbsp;

"We have not kept anybody in detention centres. People left out in NRC in Assam are living in their homes. There is only one detention centre in Assam, and it's been there for years. No detention centre has been built under the Prime Minister Modi government," he asserted.

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Home Minister Amit Shah to ANI: There is no connection between detention center and NRC or CAA. The center has been there for years and is for illegal migrants. Misinformation is being spread on this. <a href="https://t.co/OAHlt8V96e">pic.twitter.com/OAHlt8V96e</a>
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Shah's remarks came on a day the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for conducting Census of India 2021 and updation of National Population Register.&nbsp;

He assured that no person should have any reason to be concerned about the exercise and data collected under NPR exercise is helpful for the government to formulate schemes for people.

"The data collected under NPR will be used to formulate plans for the betterment of the public through central government schemes. It is not an exercise to decide citizenship of any person," Shah said.

(With inputs from ANI)

There is no connection between the detention centre and NRC or CAA. The centre has been there for years and is for illegal migrants. Misinformation is being spread on this, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah in an interview on Tuesday.

There is no connection between the detention centre and NRC or CAA. The centre has been there for years and is for illegal migrants. Misinformation is being spread on this, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah in an interview on Tuesday. "Detention of illegal immigrants is a continuous process. Detention centres have nothing to do with NRC. If a foreigner is arrested without documents, he is kept at detention centres and they are deported later," Shah said. "We have not kept anybody in detention centres. People left out in NRC in Assam are living in their homes. There is only one detention centre in Assam, and it's been there for years. No detention centre has been built under the Prime Minister Modi government," he asserted. Home Minister Amit Shah to ANI: There is no connection between detention center and NRC or CAA. The center has been there for years and is for illegal migrants. Misinformation is being spread on this. pic.twitter.com/OAHlt8V96e — ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2019 × Shah's remarks came on a day the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for conducting Census of India 2021 and updation of National Population Register. He assured that no person should have any reason to be concerned about the exercise and data collected under NPR exercise is helpful for the government to formulate schemes for people. "The data collected under NPR will be used to formulate plans for the betterment of the public through central government schemes. It is not an exercise to decide citizenship of any person," Shah said. (With inputs from ANI)

Detention centres have nothing to do with NRC: Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah in an interview to news agency ANI sought to allay fears by categorically stating that there is no link between National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). His clarification comes amidst widespread protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 and general fear of nationwide implementation of National Register of Citizens. #NPR #NRC

Fineprint: No link between NPR and NRC, says Home Minister Amit Shah

Union Home Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/if-we-say-the-sun-rises-from-east-then-owaisi-saab-would-say-it-rises-from-west-amit-shah-270056">Amit Shah</a> on Tuesday urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to rethink their decision to stop work on updating National Population Register (NPR). 
 
"I want to tell chief ministers of both states (Kerala and West Bengal), don't take such step. They should rethink," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-chairs-high-level-meet-to-discuss-jammu-and-kashmir-issues-270008">Shah</a> said in an interview with ANI Editor Smita Prakash. 
 
"This (NPR) is the base for welfare programmes for poor of Kerala and Bengal. Please don't keep poor people out of the developmental programme for politics, bring them in," he added. 
 
Shah said that there was no link between NPR exercise and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). He added that information obtained through NPR cannot be used for NRC which was a separate process. 
 
The minister's remarks came on a day the union cabinet approved the proposal for conducting Census of India 2021 and updating of NPR. 
He said Union Cabinet has not ever discussed NRC. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/state-governments-should-not-politicise-population-register-npr-and-nrc-are-different-amit-shah-270055">The minister</a> said that while Census was held every 10 years and NPR was started by the UPA government and the government was carrying it forward as it was a "good exercise".

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to rethink their decision to stop work on updating National Population Register (NPR).

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to rethink their decision to stop work on updating National Population Register (NPR). "I want to tell chief ministers of both states (Kerala and West Bengal), don't take such step. They should rethink," Shah said in an interview with ANI Editor Smita Prakash. "This (NPR) is the base for welfare programmes for poor of Kerala and Bengal. Please don't keep poor people out of the developmental programme for politics, bring them in," he added. Shah said that there was no link between NPR exercise and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). He added that information obtained through NPR cannot be used for NRC which was a separate process. The minister's remarks came on a day the union cabinet approved the proposal for conducting Census of India 2021 and updating of NPR. He said Union Cabinet has not ever discussed NRC. The minister said that while Census was held every 10 years and NPR was started by the UPA government and the government was carrying it forward as it was a "good exercise".

Amit Shah urges state leaders Mamata, Vijayan to not stop updating NPR

Union Home Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/if-we-say-the-sun-rises-from-east-then-owaisi-saab-would-say-it-rises-from-west-amit-shah-270056">Amit Shah</a> on Tuesday said that the National Population Register (NPR) will not affect the nationality status of any citizen of the country. 
 
"NPR will not affect anyone's nationality. Even if somebody's name is missing from NPR, then too, his citizenship will not be threatened," Shah said in an exclusive interview with ANI's Editor Smita Prakash. 
 
Shah asserted that NPR was a continuation of a move started by the former UPA government. 
 
"It is a constitutional provision and is the same exercise which was conducted by the Congress-led government earlier. It is neither a part of our manifesto nor our promise. It was a good move started by the Congress which is simply being followed," he said. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/state-governments-should-not-politicise-population-register-npr-and-nrc-are-different-amit-shah-270055">Shah's remarks</a> came on a day the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for conducting Census of India 2021 and updating the&nbsp;National Population Register. 
 
He assured that no person should have any reason to be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shah-chairs-high-level-meet-to-discuss-jammu-and-kashmir-issues-270008">concerned about the exercise</a> and data collected under NPR exercise is helpful for the government to formulate schemes for people. 
 
"The data collected under NPR will be used to formulate plans for the betterment of the public through central government schemes. It is not an exercise to decide citizenship of any person," Shah said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the National Population Register (NPR) will not affect the nationality status of any citizen of the country. "NPR will not affect anyone's nationality.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the National Population Register (NPR) will not affect the nationality status of any citizen of the country. "NPR will not affect anyone's nationality. Even if somebody's name is missing from NPR, then too, his citizenship will not be threatened," Shah said in an exclusive interview with ANI's Editor Smita Prakash. Shah asserted that NPR was a continuation of a move started by the former UPA government. "It is a constitutional provision and is the same exercise which was conducted by the Congress-led government earlier. It is neither a part of our manifesto nor our promise. It was a good move started by the Congress which is simply being followed," he said. Shah's remarks came on a day the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for conducting Census of India 2021 and updating the National Population Register. He assured that no person should have any reason to be concerned about the exercise and data collected under NPR exercise is helpful for the government to formulate schemes for people. "The data collected under NPR will be used to formulate plans for the betterment of the public through central government schemes. It is not an exercise to decide citizenship of any person," Shah said.

NPR not a threat to anybody's citizenship: Home Minister Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday dismissed claims of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi that the National Population Register (NPR) was linked with the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and said the two very different.&nbsp;

Shah said in an exclusive interview with ANI, Shah indicated that Owaisi would always oppose the steps of BJP-led government.

"I am not surprised by stand taken by Owaisiji. If we say the sun rises from the east, then Owaisi saab would say it rises from the west. But I want to assure Owaisiji too that the NPR is very different from the NRC and it has nothing to do with it," Shah said.

Owaisi has been one of the most vocal critics of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which was enacted earlier this month.

He is also scheduled to participate in a protest rally in Kishangunj in Bihar under the banner of United Muslim Action Committee (UMAC) against CAA, National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). Shah said there was no link between NPR and NRC.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday dismissed claims of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi that the National Population Register (NPR) was linked with the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and said the two very different.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday dismissed claims of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi that the National Population Register (NPR) was linked with the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and said the two very different. Shah said in an exclusive interview with ANI, Shah indicated that Owaisi would always oppose the steps of BJP-led government. "I am not surprised by stand taken by Owaisiji. If we say the sun rises from the east, then Owaisi saab would say it rises from the west. But I want to assure Owaisiji too that the NPR is very different from the NRC and it has nothing to do with it," Shah said. Owaisi has been one of the most vocal critics of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which was enacted earlier this month. He is also scheduled to participate in a protest rally in Kishangunj in Bihar under the banner of United Muslim Action Committee (UMAC) against CAA, National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). Shah said there was no link between NPR and NRC.

If we say the sun rises from east, then Owaisi saab would say it rises from west: Amit Shah

Seeking to put an end to apprehensions about updation of National Population Register(NPR), Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that there was no link between the National Population Register (NPR) exercise and the National Register of Citizen (NRC).

Shah said that that information obtained through NPR cannot be used for NRC which was a separate process.&nbsp;

He said the union cabinet has not ever discussed NRC.Shah`s remarks came on a day the union cabinet approved the proposal for conducting Census of India 2021 and updating of NPR.&nbsp;

The minister said that while Census was held every 10 years and NPR was started by the UPA government and the government was carrying it forward as it was a "good exercise".

"NPR is register of population, NRC is register of citizens. There is no link between the two and the two have different processes," Shah said in an interview with ANI.&nbsp;

He said the names of people living in the country are in NPR based on which programmes are made.&nbsp;

With West Bengal and Kerala having decided to put a stop to NPR exercise, Shah said there should not be politics over the exercise as it is aimed at benefitting citizens and for improving the planning of welfare schemes.&nbsp;

"I will talk and appeal to them that no politics should be done on this", Shah said.

Seeking to put an end to apprehensions about updation of National Population Register(NPR), Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that there was no link between the National Population Register (NPR) exercise and the National Register of Citizen (NRC).

Seeking to put an end to apprehensions about updation of National Population Register(NPR), Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that there was no link between the National Population Register (NPR) exercise and the National Register of Citizen (NRC). Shah said that that information obtained through NPR cannot be used for NRC which was a separate process. He said the union cabinet has not ever discussed NRC.Shah`s remarks came on a day the union cabinet approved the proposal for conducting Census of India 2021 and updating of NPR. The minister said that while Census was held every 10 years and NPR was started by the UPA government and the government was carrying it forward as it was a "good exercise". "NPR is register of population, NRC is register of citizens. There is no link between the two and the two have different processes," Shah said in an interview with ANI. He said the names of people living in the country are in NPR based on which programmes are made. With West Bengal and Kerala having decided to put a stop to NPR exercise, Shah said there should not be politics over the exercise as it is aimed at benefitting citizens and for improving the planning of welfare schemes. "I will talk and appeal to them that no politics should be done on this", Shah said.

State governments should not politicise population register, NPR and NRC are different: Amit Shah

Home Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-government-committed-to-wipe-out-terrorism-left-wing-extremism-in-five-years-amit-shah-269846">Amit Shah</a> held a meeting with top government officials and Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu to discuss issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir, here on Tuesday.

National security advisor Ajit Doval, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-will-win-future-wars-with-indian-systems-general-rawat-269757">Army chief Bipin Rawat</a>, Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau Director Arvind Kumar, CRPF Director General RR Bhatnagar were among those who attended the meeting.

Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh and senior security advisor to Home Ministry, Vijay Kumar were also part of the discussion.

The high-level meeting comes over five months after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/article-370-revoked-united-nations-urges-india-pakistan-to-exercise-restraint-240975">special status</a> to Jammu and Kashmir was repealed and the state was bifurcated into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with top government officials and Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu to discuss issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir, here on Tuesday.

Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with top government officials and Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu to discuss issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir, here on Tuesday. National security advisor Ajit Doval, Army chief Bipin Rawat, Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau Director Arvind Kumar, CRPF Director General RR Bhatnagar were among those who attended the meeting. Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbagh Singh and senior security advisor to Home Ministry, Vijay Kumar were also part of the discussion. The high-level meeting comes over five months after the special status to Jammu and Kashmir was repealed and the state was bifurcated into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Amit Shah chairs high-level meet to discuss Jammu and Kashmir

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday delivered the&nbsp;32nd Intelligence Bureau (IB) Centenary Endowment Lecture in India during which he vowed that Modi government will wipe out&nbsp;terrorism, left-wing extremism and insurgency in northeast completely in next five years.

"Modi Government is committed that terrorism, Left-wing extremism and insurgency in the northeast is completely wiped out in the next five years," the official press released stated&nbsp;Shah as saying.

Shah also said, IB was 'brain' of the national security apparatus and has helped in ensuring zero tolerance to terrorism and Naxalism.

Lauding the IB officials, Shah also said, "their work would be etched in golden letters in the annals of history".&nbsp;

According to an official press release, the Home Minister pointed to interlinked challenges of human and weapons trafficking, cross-border infiltration, fake Indian currency notes (FICN), hawala transactions, drug trafficking as well as cyber threats.

The home minister also emphasised on the need for coordination between different security and intelligence agencies.

Listing out national security challenges in the coming years, especially against the backdrop of the country's aim to become a $5 trillion economy, he accorded special focus on securing "land and maritime borders," the release said.

He underscored the importance of coordination between different security and intelligence agencies and exhorted them to move towards sharper intelligence analysis along with a prompt phase-wise and time-bound strategy to address national security challenges.

Encouraging IB personnel to identify solutions to these challenges and look for new ways to counter them, he asked them to change their approach to be more effective.

Noting that IB personnel work tirelessly and anonymously for national security, he underscored their contribution in helping the country emerge stronger.

He also appreciated the organisation for having tackled insurgency in the northeast "very effectively" over the years.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday delivered the 32nd Intelligence Bureau (IB) Centenary Endowment Lecture in India during which he vowed that Modi government will wipe out terrorism, left-wing extremism and insurgency in northeast completely in next five years.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday delivered the 32nd Intelligence Bureau (IB) Centenary Endowment Lecture in India during which he vowed that Modi government will wipe out terrorism, left-wing extremism and insurgency in northeast completely in next five years. "Modi Government is committed that terrorism, Left-wing extremism and insurgency in the northeast is completely wiped out in the next five years," the official press released stated Shah as saying. Shah also said, IB was 'brain' of the national security apparatus and has helped in ensuring zero tolerance to terrorism and Naxalism. Lauding the IB officials, Shah also said, "their work would be etched in golden letters in the annals of history". According to an official press release, the Home Minister pointed to interlinked challenges of human and weapons trafficking, cross-border infiltration, fake Indian currency notes (FICN), hawala transactions, drug trafficking as well as cyber threats. The home minister also emphasised on the need for coordination between different security and intelligence agencies. Listing out national security challenges in the coming years, especially against the backdrop of the country's aim to become a $5 trillion economy, he accorded special focus on securing "land and maritime borders," the release said. He underscored the importance of coordination between different security and intelligence agencies and exhorted them to move towards sharper intelligence analysis along with a prompt phase-wise and time-bound strategy to address national security challenges. Encouraging IB personnel to identify solutions to these challenges and look for new ways to counter them, he asked them to change their approach to be more effective. Noting that IB personnel work tirelessly and anonymously for national security, he underscored their contribution in helping the country emerge stronger. He also appreciated the organisation for having tackled insurgency in the northeast "very effectively" over the years. (With inputs from agencies)

Modi government committed to wipe out terrorism, left-wing extremism in five years: Amit Shah

A new chapter will begin in Jharkhand, Chief Ministerial candidate of Congress-Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Rashtriya Janata Dal&nbsp;alliance, Hemant Soren said on Monday after the landslide win in Assembly Elections.

Thanking the voters for the mandate, Soren said, "Today's victory is full of happiness for many but for me, it is also the day to take a vow to fulfil the expectations of the public."

&nbsp;"The time has come to fulfil the goals for which this state was created. I want to thank Lalu ji, Sonia ji, Rahul ji and Priyanka ji and all Congress leaders for all the support and for believing in me," he said, adding that today a "new chapter will begin for the state."

"I want to assure everyone that their hopes will not be broken irrespective of their caste, creed, religion and profession, " Soren said in a press conference held after his alliance surpassed the majority mark.

As per Election Commission trends, Congress-JMM-RJD alliance won 45 seats and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 22 seats.

Jharkhand went to polls for 81 Assembly seats in five phases from November 30 to December 20 and saw 65.17 per cent voter turnout.

The counting of votes began at 8 am today in all the 24 district headquarters amid tight security and is still underway.

Meanwhile, accepting the defeat, BJP president Amit Shah said, "We respect the mandate given by the people of Jharkhand."

"We express our heartfelt gratitude to the people for the opportunity given to BJP to serve the state for 5 years. The BJP will remain committed to the development of the state continuously."

A new chapter will begin in Jharkhand, Chief Ministerial candidate of Congress-Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Rashtriya Janata Dal alliance, Hemant Soren said on Monday after the landslide win in Assembly Elections.

A new chapter will begin in Jharkhand, Chief Ministerial candidate of Congress-Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-Rashtriya Janata Dal alliance, Hemant Soren said on Monday after the landslide win in Assembly Elections. Thanking the voters for the mandate, Soren said, "Today's victory is full of happiness for many but for me, it is also the day to take a vow to fulfil the expectations of the public." "The time has come to fulfil the goals for which this state was created. I want to thank Lalu ji, Sonia ji, Rahul ji and Priyanka ji and all Congress leaders for all the support and for believing in me," he said, adding that today a "new chapter will begin for the state." "I want to assure everyone that their hopes will not be broken irrespective of their caste, creed, religion and profession, " Soren said in a press conference held after his alliance surpassed the majority mark. As per Election Commission trends, Congress-JMM-RJD alliance won 45 seats and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 22 seats. Jharkhand went to polls for 81 Assembly seats in five phases from November 30 to December 20 and saw 65.17 per cent voter turnout. The counting of votes began at 8 am today in all the 24 district headquarters amid tight security and is still underway. Meanwhile, accepting the defeat, BJP president Amit Shah said, "We respect the mandate given by the people of Jharkhand." "We express our heartfelt gratitude to the people for the opportunity given to BJP to serve the state for 5 years. The BJP will remain committed to the development of the state continuously."

New chapter will begin in Jharkhand, says CM candidate Hemant Soren after JMM-Congress-RJD victory

Hours after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unity-in-diversity-is-indias-speciality-amid-nationwide-protests-pm-modi-addresses-a-rally-in-delhis-ramlila-ground-269566">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> launched a blistering attack on Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her anti-CAA and anti-NRC stand, Banerjee lashed out at PM Modi stating that his stand contradicts Home Minister Amit Shah's position on nationwide NRC.&nbsp;

Banerjee took to Twitter and posted, “Whatever I said is there in public forum, whatever you said is there for people to judge. With the prime minister contradicting Home Minister publicly on nationwide NRC, who is dividing fundamental idea of India? People will definitely decide who is right and who is wrong”.&nbsp;

While addressing people from the Ramlila grounds, PM Modi said, “West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee reached out to the UN on the issue. A few years ago, she had stood up in the Parliament and asked to stop infiltration from Bangladesh and wanted help for the refugees coming in from Bangladesh”.&nbsp;

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/caa-will-benefit-marginalised-pm-modi-pleads-people-to-not-trust-rumour-mongers-at-bjp-rally-in-delhi-269570">prime minister</a> went on to claim that Banerjee was spreading false rumours.&nbsp;

“I want to ask Mamata didi, what changed? Why are you spreading false rumours? Why are you so afraid? You must believe in the people of West Bengal. Why are you not trusting the people of your state? Today, she is questioning the Citizenship Amendment Bill. We understand why. The entire country is watching and understands who you're supporting,” he claimed.&nbsp;

Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering attack on Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her anti-CAA and anti-NRC stand, Banerjee lashed out at PM Modi stating that his stand contradicts Home Minister Amit Shah's position on nationwide NRC.

Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering attack on Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her anti-CAA and anti-NRC stand, Banerjee lashed out at PM Modi stating that his stand contradicts Home Minister Amit Shah's position on nationwide NRC. Banerjee took to Twitter and posted, “Whatever I said is there in public forum, whatever you said is there for people to judge. With the prime minister contradicting Home Minister publicly on nationwide NRC, who is dividing fundamental idea of India? People will definitely decide who is right and who is wrong”. While addressing people from the Ramlila grounds, PM Modi said, “West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee reached out to the UN on the issue. A few years ago, she had stood up in the Parliament and asked to stop infiltration from Bangladesh and wanted help for the refugees coming in from Bangladesh”. The prime minister went on to claim that Banerjee was spreading false rumours. “I want to ask Mamata didi, what changed? Why are you spreading false rumours? Why are you so afraid? You must believe in the people of West Bengal. Why are you not trusting the people of your state? Today, she is questioning the Citizenship Amendment Bill. We understand why. The entire country is watching and understands who you're supporting,” he claimed.

Mamata Banerjee lashes out at PM Modi, says PM contradicting Amit Shah's comments on nationwide NRC 

The United States respects India`s democratic institutions and will continue to observe the active political debate, parliamentary discussions, and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/wion-edit-citizenship-amendment-act-when-actors-turned-activists-269216">protests</a> over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, a senior State Department official said on Thursday.

"We are seeing the active political debate, the discussions in Parliament, the protests by people who are espousing their views on that law. We are also fully aware that there is a judicial process that`s underway," the official said.

"And we respect India`s democratic institutions and India`s democratic practices, and we will continue to observe it on an ongoing basis,` the official added.

The senior State Department official said that Washington would talk to New Delhi "about the fact that as democracies, issues around minority rights, religious freedom, human rights are important pillars of democratic societies", and encourage India and the other democracies alike to adhere to those principles.

The official also said that the US recognises India as a vibrant democracy and holds regular conversations with the country "about a full range of issues".

Similar remarks were made by US Secretary of State Michael <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-was-on-the-call-says-pompeo-on-trump-call-to-ukraine-leader-253318">Pompeo</a> yesterday, when he said that his country cares deeply about protecting minorities and religious rights everywhere but honours "Indian democracy as they have a robust debate" on the issue of CAA.

"We care deeply and always will about protecting minorities, protecting religious rights everywhere. We honour Indian democracy and they have a robust debate in India on the issue. The US will be consistent in its response to these issues, not only in India but all across the world," Pompeo said during the joint presser with US Defence Secretary Mark Esper, India`s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-us-commence-22-ministerial-dialogue-in-washington-dc-269125">2+2</a> India-US ministerial dialogue.

His remarks came after being asked whether he thinks "it is appropriate for a democracy to use faith as a determining criterion for citizenship."Last week, the Indian Parliament had passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and it became an Act after receiving assent from President Ram Nath Kovind.

The Act grants Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

Commenting on the Kashmir issue, the senior State Department official said that Washington has spoken publicly of concerns about prolonged detentions in the region after the Indian government`s decision to revoke <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/article-370-abrogation-foreign-medias-india-bias-249191">Article 370</a> of the Constitution on August 5.&nbsp;

The United States respects India`s democratic institutions and will continue to observe the active political debate, parliamentary discussions, and the protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, a senior State Department official said on Thursday.

The United States respects India`s democratic institutions and will continue to observe the active political debate, parliamentary discussions, and the protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, a senior State Department official said on Thursday. "We are seeing the active political debate, the discussions in Parliament, the protests by people who are espousing their views on that law. We are also fully aware that there is a judicial process that`s underway," the official said. "And we respect India`s democratic institutions and India`s democratic practices, and we will continue to observe it on an ongoing basis,` the official added. The senior State Department official said that Washington would talk to New Delhi "about the fact that as democracies, issues around minority rights, religious freedom, human rights are important pillars of democratic societies", and encourage India and the other democracies alike to adhere to those principles. The official also said that the US recognises India as a vibrant democracy and holds regular conversations with the country "about a full range of issues". Similar remarks were made by US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo yesterday, when he said that his country cares deeply about protecting minorities and religious rights everywhere but honours "Indian democracy as they have a robust debate" on the issue of CAA. "We care deeply and always will about protecting minorities, protecting religious rights everywhere. We honour Indian democracy and they have a robust debate in India on the issue. The US will be consistent in its response to these issues, not only in India but all across the world," Pompeo said during the joint presser with US Defence Secretary Mark Esper, India`s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after the 2+2 India-US ministerial dialogue. His remarks came after being asked whether he thinks "it is appropriate for a democracy to use faith as a determining criterion for citizenship."Last week, the Indian Parliament had passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and it became an Act after receiving assent from President Ram Nath Kovind. The Act grants Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. Commenting on the Kashmir issue, the senior State Department official said that Washington has spoken publicly of concerns about prolonged detentions in the region after the Indian government`s decision to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5.

Respect India's democratic institutions; will continue to observe parliamentary discussions: US State Dept official on CAA

Amid the raging protests over the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/citizenship-amendment-bill-avoidable-controversy-267862"> Citizenship (Amendment) Act</a> (CAA), Union Minister for Minority Affairs <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mukhtar-abbas-naqvi-those-abusing-pm-narendra-modi-now-insulting-security-forces-205047">Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi </a>on Wednesday stated that "India is a heaven, while Pakistan is a hell for the minorities".

Speaking on the occasion of International Minority Rights Day, Naqvi said: "The minorities in the neighbouring countries have suffered several difficulties, including forceful conversion of religion."

He further stated that there was a conspiracy to create a hateful and toxic environment in the country.

"After CAA was passed, the environment which has been created in the country has been done with a very dangerous mentality. Attempts have been made to divide the country on a social level. Some people have assumed that Muslims cannot live in India, which is untrue. This poisonous environment is fake and fabricated," said Naqvi.

Naqvi further clarified that the Muslim population who have been living in the country for years have nothing to fear from the amended citizenship law.

"The citizenship of Muslims in India is safe and protected. It is our responsibility to spread awareness about the Act, and fight the conspiracy which seeks to disturb the peace of the nation," he said.

Meanwhile, BJP National Spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain on Wednesday stated that Congress should stop misleading the Muslim population of the country regarding the citizenship law.

"The Act has been introduced to grant citizenship to people, not seize it. Congress has been spreading rumours and lies about the law, which is very unfortunate. We will not let them mislead the Muslims. I appeal to my Muslim brothers to stand against this false information, which has been confusing and misleading them," said Hussain.

Speaking out against NCP leader Nawab Malik, who compared Home Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/not-one-bullet-fired-situation-in-kashmir-normal-amit-shah-267372">Amit Shah</a> to British General Reginald Dyer, Hussain demanded that action be taken against him by NCP Chief Sharad Pawar.

"Malik is crossing his limits. These kinds of statements will not be tolerated. General Dyer gunned down hundreds of people, while the CAA does not cause harm to any citizens of India. The opposition is confused and divided over the issue," he asserted.

The CAA seeks to grant Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

Amid the raging protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday stated that "India is a heaven, while Pakistan is a hell for the minorities".

Amid the raging protests over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Wednesday stated that "India is a heaven, while Pakistan is a hell for the minorities". Speaking on the occasion of International Minority Rights Day, Naqvi said: "The minorities in the neighbouring countries have suffered several difficulties, including forceful conversion of religion." He further stated that there was a conspiracy to create a hateful and toxic environment in the country. "After CAA was passed, the environment which has been created in the country has been done with a very dangerous mentality. Attempts have been made to divide the country on a social level. Some people have assumed that Muslims cannot live in India, which is untrue. This poisonous environment is fake and fabricated," said Naqvi. Naqvi further clarified that the Muslim population who have been living in the country for years have nothing to fear from the amended citizenship law. "The citizenship of Muslims in India is safe and protected. It is our responsibility to spread awareness about the Act, and fight the conspiracy which seeks to disturb the peace of the nation," he said. Meanwhile, BJP National Spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain on Wednesday stated that Congress should stop misleading the Muslim population of the country regarding the citizenship law. "The Act has been introduced to grant citizenship to people, not seize it. Congress has been spreading rumours and lies about the law, which is very unfortunate. We will not let them mislead the Muslims. I appeal to my Muslim brothers to stand against this false information, which has been confusing and misleading them," said Hussain. Speaking out against NCP leader Nawab Malik, who compared Home Minister Amit Shah to British General Reginald Dyer, Hussain demanded that action be taken against him by NCP Chief Sharad Pawar. "Malik is crossing his limits. These kinds of statements will not be tolerated. General Dyer gunned down hundreds of people, while the CAA does not cause harm to any citizens of India. The opposition is confused and divided over the issue," he asserted. The CAA seeks to grant Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

India is heaven, Pakistan a hell for minorities: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

India has no refugee policy. It is not a signatory to the UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention, which defines a refugee. Now, India avowedly wants to be a refuge for persecuted Hindus in the region and professedly for that purpose has enacted the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

At the same time, the world’s largest democracy is silent on the genocide of Myanmar’s Rohingya, the region’s worst persecuted minority. It fell to The Gambia to take up in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) the killing of thousands of Rohingya in Myanmar’s Rakhine state in August 2017. UN investigations suggest that at least 10,000 Rohingya may have been killed in the military crackdown, which saw more than 700,000 Rohingya flee Buddhist-majority Myanmar to Bangladesh.

Yet CAA provides for citizenship – on the basis of religion - to persecuted Buddhists along with Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. In other words, the refugee seeking migrant must be a non-Muslim from a Muslim-majority nation, which Myanmar is not. Neither is Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is home to the largest proportion of Hindu population – 12.6 per cent – outside India. In recent decades, it is in Sri Lanka that the largest number of Hindus (Tamils) – about 2.55 million – has suffered discrimination, denial of their rights and persecution under the majoritarian Sinhalese. It is in Sri Lanka that the highest number of Hindus (Tamils) was killed during the civil war from 1983 to 2009, which claimed nearly1.9 lakh lives including of non-Tamils; and, it is from Sri Lanka that, after 1971, the largest number of Hindu refugees came to India. Tamil Nadu still has a sizable number of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.

However, the Indian government, though explicitly committed to providing refuge to persecuted Hindus in the region, couldn’t care less about Sri Lankan Hindus. To justify their exclusion on the ground that their persecution was linguistic – and not religious – will not wash because they are Hindus as much as they are Tamils. And, as much as the Hindu, the Muslim is also a persecuted minority under the Sinhalese-Buddhist majority in Sri Lanka.

The BJP government has no explanation for this exclusion of minorities (including Hindus) in Sri Lanka and Myanmar. It may well be because the Hindi-Hindutva party has no vote bank in Tamil Nadu; and its polarising Hindu-Muslim politics has been rewarded mainly in the cow belt and is making headway in Bengal. In the eastern state, the success of its divisive agenda depends on targeting Bangladesh and “Bangladeshis” in India.

This shift to religion as a basis for citizenship and exclusion of Muslims gives a new, intimidating ring to India’s policy of “neighbours first”. The CAA upturns the very idea of citizenship by rooting it in religion. The CAA, to be followed by the NRC (National Register of Citizens), is about finding people to exclude, not include. The government can give citizenship to anyone and does not need a new law for that. It is to exclude a particular community that the new law has been passed.

Such an extension of divisiveness at home to South Asia as a whole is fraught with serious consequences including long-term damage to India’s reputation, its image as a leading power, its culture of diversity and its credentials as a democracy. Even East Asia’s authoritarian regimes with restricted democracy have taken particular care to maintain their non-discriminatory ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious diversity.&nbsp;

The CAA is an instrument for tyrannising a minority, especially the poor and persecuted in India and South Asia. In adopting such a law, the government has betrayed India’s long history of providing refuge to the persecuted and displaced from neighbouring countries.

Sixty years ago, thousands of Tibetan Buddhists and the Dalai Lama sought refuge in India. During the 1971 war, India was a refuge for lakhs of people from East Pakistan, who returned after the birth of Bangladesh. The India that stood up to the West, including for “liberation of Bangladesh”, and supported struggles against colonialism, imperialism and apartheid was a much poorer country, neither wanted at the world’s high tables nor wooed by the hegemons of the time

Regardless of the party in office – Congress, Janata, National Front-Left Front – and the ideological tilt of leaders, be it Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Rajiv Gandhi or VP Singh, India supported the cause of the oppressed and uprooted elsewhere; and, stood up for peace, freedom and democracy.

In grace with history, India not only backed peoples’ struggles abroad but was also a safe haven to those who sought refuge and resisted tyrannies in their home countries. Besides the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans, there were others, too, over the decades - refugees and democracy activists from Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma and several African countries, including South Africa.

Traditionally, Europe was home to those fleeing persecution. At a time when London and Paris, for example, were the choice of most political exiles, a young BP Koirala came to Calcutta and led Nepal’s struggle for democracy from Indian soil. History is replete with instances of the powerful pull India’s diversity and democracy exerted on the mind of freedom-loving peoples who resisted dictators, discrimination and oppression.

Doubtless, that India is changing, perhaps disappearing. But now, the very idea of that India and its values are being religiously destroyed by the state itself. 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

India has no refugee policy. It is not a signatory to the UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention, which defines a refugee. Now, India avowedly wants to be a refuge for persecuted Hindus in the region and professedly for that purpose has enacted the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

India has no refugee policy. It is not a signatory to the UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention, which defines a refugee. Now, India avowedly wants to be a refuge for persecuted Hindus in the region and professedly for that purpose has enacted the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). At the same time, the world’s largest democracy is silent on the genocide of Myanmar’s Rohingya, the region’s worst persecuted minority. It fell to The Gambia to take up in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) the killing of thousands of Rohingya in Myanmar’s Rakhine state in August 2017. UN investigations suggest that at least 10,000 Rohingya may have been killed in the military crackdown, which saw more than 700,000 Rohingya flee Buddhist-majority Myanmar to Bangladesh. Yet CAA provides for citizenship – on the basis of religion - to persecuted Buddhists along with Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. In other words, the refugee seeking migrant must be a non-Muslim from a Muslim-majority nation, which Myanmar is not. Neither is Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is home to the largest proportion of Hindu population – 12.6 per cent – outside India. In recent decades, it is in Sri Lanka that the largest number of Hindus (Tamils) – about 2.55 million – has suffered discrimination, denial of their rights and persecution under the majoritarian Sinhalese. It is in Sri Lanka that the highest number of Hindus (Tamils) was killed during the civil war from 1983 to 2009, which claimed nearly1.9 lakh lives including of non-Tamils; and, it is from Sri Lanka that, after 1971, the largest number of Hindu refugees came to India. Tamil Nadu still has a sizable number of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. However, the Indian government, though explicitly committed to providing refuge to persecuted Hindus in the region, couldn’t care less about Sri Lankan Hindus. To justify their exclusion on the ground that their persecution was linguistic – and not religious – will not wash because they are Hindus as much as they are Tamils. And, as much as the Hindu, the Muslim is also a persecuted minority under the Sinhalese-Buddhist majority in Sri Lanka. The BJP government has no explanation for this exclusion of minorities (including Hindus) in Sri Lanka and Myanmar. It may well be because the Hindi-Hindutva party has no vote bank in Tamil Nadu; and its polarising Hindu-Muslim politics has been rewarded mainly in the cow belt and is making headway in Bengal. In the eastern state, the success of its divisive agenda depends on targeting Bangladesh and “Bangladeshis” in India. This shift to religion as a basis for citizenship and exclusion of Muslims gives a new, intimidating ring to India’s policy of “neighbours first”. The CAA upturns the very idea of citizenship by rooting it in religion. The CAA, to be followed by the NRC (National Register of Citizens), is about finding people to exclude, not include. The government can give citizenship to anyone and does not need a new law for that. It is to exclude a particular community that the new law has been passed. Such an extension of divisiveness at home to South Asia as a whole is fraught with serious consequences including long-term damage to India’s reputation, its image as a leading power, its culture of diversity and its credentials as a democracy. Even East Asia’s authoritarian regimes with restricted democracy have taken particular care to maintain their non-discriminatory ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious diversity. The CAA is an instrument for tyrannising a minority, especially the poor and persecuted in India and South Asia. In adopting such a law, the government has betrayed India’s long history of providing refuge to the persecuted and displaced from neighbouring countries. Sixty years ago, thousands of Tibetan Buddhists and the Dalai Lama sought refuge in India. During the 1971 war, India was a refuge for lakhs of people from East Pakistan, who returned after the birth of Bangladesh. The India that stood up to the West, including for “liberation of Bangladesh”, and supported struggles against colonialism, imperialism and apartheid was a much poorer country, neither wanted at the world’s high tables nor wooed by the hegemons of the time Regardless of the party in office – Congress, Janata, National Front-Left Front – and the ideological tilt of leaders, be it Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Rajiv Gandhi or VP Singh, India supported the cause of the oppressed and uprooted elsewhere; and, stood up for peace, freedom and democracy. In grace with history, India not only backed peoples’ struggles abroad but was also a safe haven to those who sought refuge and resisted tyrannies in their home countries. Besides the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans, there were others, too, over the decades - refugees and democracy activists from Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma and several African countries, including South Africa. Traditionally, Europe was home to those fleeing persecution. At a time when London and Paris, for example, were the choice of most political exiles, a young BP Koirala came to Calcutta and led Nepal’s struggle for democracy from Indian soil. History is replete with instances of the powerful pull India’s diversity and democracy exerted on the mind of freedom-loving peoples who resisted dictators, discrimination and oppression. Doubtless, that India is changing, perhaps disappearing. But now, the very idea of that India and its values are being religiously destroyed by the state itself. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

India: No more refuge for the persecuted

The much-anticipated and pending organisational overhaul of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to take place post-Makar Sankranti which is considered as an auspicious period according to the Hindu calendar.

Sources said that among likely changes, would be relinquishing of the post of BJP president by Amit Shah and the induction of national working president JP Nadda to the top job.

The changes are likely to take place in the middle of January after Makar Sankranti ( January 14), the period considered to be particularly auspicious to embark on new assignments and projects, sources told ANI.

The organisational changes were delayed as the party wanted to consolidate itself in the Lok Sabha polls and also the assembly elections in various states.

"Decisions like the abrogation of Article 370, criminalisation of triple talaq and Citizenship Amendment Act had also delayed the organisational overhaul. The senior leadership did not want to make any hasty announcements or decisions, which could affect the party and its morale," sources said.

Since the tough decisions have been taken and implemented conclusively, the party`s central leadership would now concentrate at revamping and strengthening the party unit further, said sources.

They said the core team of the BJP is also expected to undergo changes as many leaders would either be replaced or given different roles in the new set up.

A senior party leader said that Nadda is expected to bring in his confidantes into the organisational setup, with the blessings of outgoing party chief Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This will give him a free hand in managing party affairs in his own way ahead of Assembly polls in the national capital and Bihar.

"The change of the guard on many fronts would be the first step towards making organisation ready for the next round of assembly elections," said sources.

The party is also expected to see major changes in states many state heads are likely to be replaced along with various chiefs of different wings.

Apart from Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, the party has been busy with assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand.&nbsp;

The much-anticipated and pending organisational overhaul of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to take place post-Makar Sankranti which is considered as an auspicious period according to the Hindu calendar.

The much-anticipated and pending organisational overhaul of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to take place post-Makar Sankranti which is considered as an auspicious period according to the Hindu calendar. Sources said that among likely changes, would be relinquishing of the post of BJP president by Amit Shah and the induction of national working president JP Nadda to the top job. The changes are likely to take place in the middle of January after Makar Sankranti ( January 14), the period considered to be particularly auspicious to embark on new assignments and projects, sources told ANI. The organisational changes were delayed as the party wanted to consolidate itself in the Lok Sabha polls and also the assembly elections in various states. "Decisions like the abrogation of Article 370, criminalisation of triple talaq and Citizenship Amendment Act had also delayed the organisational overhaul. The senior leadership did not want to make any hasty announcements or decisions, which could affect the party and its morale," sources said. Since the tough decisions have been taken and implemented conclusively, the party`s central leadership would now concentrate at revamping and strengthening the party unit further, said sources. They said the core team of the BJP is also expected to undergo changes as many leaders would either be replaced or given different roles in the new set up. A senior party leader said that Nadda is expected to bring in his confidantes into the organisational setup, with the blessings of outgoing party chief Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will give him a free hand in managing party affairs in his own way ahead of Assembly polls in the national capital and Bihar. "The change of the guard on many fronts would be the first step towards making organisation ready for the next round of assembly elections," said sources. The party is also expected to see major changes in states many state heads are likely to be replaced along with various chiefs of different wings. Apart from Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, the party has been busy with assembly elections in Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jharkhand.

BJP likely to go for organisational overhaul after Makar Sankranti

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the opposition of misleading the country on recently enacted Citizenship Act. He also said that the law, which has triggered violent protests across the country, does not have any provision to strip people of their citizenship.

"Entire opposition is misleading the people of the country. I reiterate that there is no question of taking away the citizenship of any person from any minority community. There is no such provision in the bill," Shah said.

While speaking at a rally in Delhi, Shah also said, "Come what may, the Modi government will ensure that these refugees get Indian citizenship and live as Indians with honour".

Home Minister's comment came amid the violent protests that spread across the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act which was passed by Parliament last and became a law after Presidential assent ton November 12.

The legislation grants Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, clashes broke out in east Delhi between police and the angry mob who was protesting against the bill. The police fired tear gas and while they were trying to disperse the crowd. According to the report, the protestors pelted stones at the police personnel and vandalised that three public buses and some bikes.&nbsp;

On Sunday, clashes between police and protestors erupted in Delhi's Jamia university which drew strong criticism over the police using force on university students.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called for peace as he said "No form of violence is acceptable in a civilised society. Nothing can be gained by violence."&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the opposition of misleading the country on recently enacted Citizenship Act. He also said that the law, which has triggered violent protests across the country, does not have any provision to strip people of their citizenship.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday accused the opposition of misleading the country on recently enacted Citizenship Act. He also said that the law, which has triggered violent protests across the country, does not have any provision to strip people of their citizenship. "Entire opposition is misleading the people of the country. I reiterate that there is no question of taking away the citizenship of any person from any minority community. There is no such provision in the bill," Shah said. While speaking at a rally in Delhi, Shah also said, "Come what may, the Modi government will ensure that these refugees get Indian citizenship and live as Indians with honour". Home Minister's comment came amid the violent protests that spread across the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act which was passed by Parliament last and became a law after Presidential assent ton November 12. The legislation grants Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. Earlier in the day, clashes broke out in east Delhi between police and the angry mob who was protesting against the bill. The police fired tear gas and while they were trying to disperse the crowd. According to the report, the protestors pelted stones at the police personnel and vandalised that three public buses and some bikes. On Sunday, clashes between police and protestors erupted in Delhi's Jamia university which drew strong criticism over the police using force on university students. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called for peace as he said "No form of violence is acceptable in a civilised society. Nothing can be gained by violence."

Come what may, government will ensure that refugees get Indian citizenship: Amit Shah on CAA

International shooter Vartika Singh on Saturday offered to execute the convicts in the Nirbhaya rape case as she believes that it would send a ''strong message''.

International shooter Vartika Singh on Saturday offered to execute the convicts in the Nirbhaya rape case as she believes that it would send a ''strong message''. Singh has written a letter in blood to Union Home Minister Amit Shah stating that the four men convicted in Nirbhaya gang-rape case should be executed by a woman, reported news agency ANI. ''Hanging of the Nirbhaya case convicts should be done by me. This will send a message throughout the country that a woman can also conduct execution,'' Vartika Singh was quoted as saying. ''I want the women actors, MPs to support me. I hope this will bring change in society,'' she further said. Meanwhile, Nirbhaya's mother on Thursday said that she has appealed to the Supreme Court and Central government to execute the convicts immediately. "It has been two and a half years since the Supreme Court passed the order on their conviction and 18 months since their review petitions were dismissed. I have appealed to the court and government to hang them immediately," Asha Devi told. Her comments came in the backdrop of the Supreme Court decision to hear the review petition of one of the convicts Akshay Kumar Singh in the 2012 gang rape case on December 17.

International shooter Vartika Singh offers to be executioner to hang Nirbhaya case convicts

Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the central government was committed to safeguarding cultural, social and linguistic identity of people of the northeast.

"Culture, language, social identity, and political rights of our brothers and sisters from the northeast will remain intact. It is the responsibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. Now that we've brought the Citizenship Amendment Act, some are trying to incite violence in the Northeast," he said at an election rally here.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured people of the northeast on Thursday that they had nothing to worry after the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

He gave an assurance that no one can take away rights, unique identity and beautiful culture of the people in the northeast and it will continue to flourish and grow.

The Act provides citizenship to non-Muslim refugees of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who fled religious persecution and arrived in India until December 31, 2014.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the central government was committed to safeguarding cultural, social and linguistic identity of people of the northeast.

Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that the central government was committed to safeguarding cultural, social and linguistic identity of people of the northeast. "Culture, language, social identity, and political rights of our brothers and sisters from the northeast will remain intact. It is the responsibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. Now that we've brought the Citizenship Amendment Act, some are trying to incite violence in the Northeast," he said at an election rally here. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured people of the northeast on Thursday that they had nothing to worry after the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. He gave an assurance that no one can take away rights, unique identity and beautiful culture of the people in the northeast and it will continue to flourish and grow. The Act provides citizenship to non-Muslim refugees of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who fled religious persecution and arrived in India until December 31, 2014.

Culture, language, political rights of people of northeast will remain intact: Amit Shah

According to government sources, the applicability of the Citizenship Amendment Act is to take place in all states, news agency ANI reported.

"The issue of citizenship comes under the Union List by 7th schedule of the Constitution. Such an amendment is applicable to all states," ANI reported citing government sources.

The Union List is given in the Seventh Schedule in the Constitution of India on which Parliament has exclusive power to legislate.The legislative section is divided into three lists: Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.Unlike the federal governments of the United States, Switzerland, and Australia, residual powers remain with the Union Government, as with the Canadian federal government.&nbsp;

Sources at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have said that the states hold no power to deny Union law.

This comes as the leadership of five states have said they will not let the Act get implemented in their respective states.

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Govt sources on five states which have said that they will not implement <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CitizenshipAmendmentAct?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CitizenshipAmendmentAct</a>: Issue of citizenship comes under the union list by 7th schedule of the Constitution. Such amendment is applicable to all states. <a href="https://t.co/yxMTVjHseI">pic.twitter.com/yxMTVjHseI</a>
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The Bill officially turned into an Act after President Ram Nath Kovind's assent.

Kerala, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal the states where the leadership has stated that the Act will not get implemented.

"The move to decide citizenship on the basis of religion amounts to a rejection of the Constitution," Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said in a tweet.

President Ram Nath Kovind, late on Thursday, gave his assent to the Bill, signing it into an Act.

Massive protests have gripped India's northeast against the bill. Two people lost their lives in police firing as the mob continued to protest, opposing the Bill that seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.&nbsp;

On Friday, Congress party moved to the Supreme Court, claiming that the Act violates Article 14 of the Constitution.

According to government sources, the applicability of the Citizenship Amendment Act is to take place in all states, news agency ANI reported. "The issue of citizenship comes under the Union List by 7th schedule of the Constitution.

According to government sources, the applicability of the Citizenship Amendment Act is to take place in all states, news agency ANI reported. "The issue of citizenship comes under the Union List by 7th schedule of the Constitution. Such an amendment is applicable to all states," ANI reported citing government sources. The Union List is given in the Seventh Schedule in the Constitution of India on which Parliament has exclusive power to legislate.The legislative section is divided into three lists: Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.Unlike the federal governments of the United States, Switzerland, and Australia, residual powers remain with the Union Government, as with the Canadian federal government. Sources at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have said that the states hold no power to deny Union law. This comes as the leadership of five states have said they will not let the Act get implemented in their respective states. Govt sources on five states which have said that they will not implement #CitizenshipAmendmentAct: Issue of citizenship comes under the union list by 7th schedule of the Constitution. Such amendment is applicable to all states. pic.twitter.com/yxMTVjHseI — ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2019 × The Bill officially turned into an Act after President Ram Nath Kovind's assent. Kerala, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal the states where the leadership has stated that the Act will not get implemented. "The move to decide citizenship on the basis of religion amounts to a rejection of the Constitution," Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said in a tweet. President Ram Nath Kovind, late on Thursday, gave his assent to the Bill, signing it into an Act. Massive protests have gripped India's northeast against the bill. Two people lost their lives in police firing as the mob continued to protest, opposing the Bill that seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. On Friday, Congress party moved to the Supreme Court, claiming that the Act violates Article 14 of the Constitution.

Applicable to all: Government sources on states denying implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act

Responding to the debate over the controversial Bill, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the legislation should have been brought 50 years ago. He added that this is not a violation of Article 14. This comes under 'reasonable classification' as there are 6 religious groups that are listed.

WION Dispatch: Citizenship Amendment Bill is not violation of Article 14, says Amit Shah

Amid the uproar in India's northeast region over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/citizenship-amendment-bill-protests-continue-to-rage-in-assam-cm-appeals-for-peace-267894">Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019</a>, the curfew imposed in some of the areas have been lifted due to a halt in violence, officials said.&nbsp;

The police officials said that the curfew was relaxed in areas of Shillong on Friday for 12 hours as no "untoward incident" was reported in these regions. &nbsp;

"The curfew has been relaxed from 10 am to 10 pm in the areas under Sadar and Lumdiengjri police station limits," East Khasi Hills district deputy commissioner MW Nongbri said.&nbsp;

The commissioner, however, added that mobile internet and messaging services would remain suspended in these areas. The curfew in some areas of Shillong was imposed at 9 pm on Thursday.&nbsp;

Earlier, curfew was also relaxed for five hours till 1 pm in Assam's Dibrugarh, the epicentre of the protest. However, protests continued in Guwahati in Assam by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU).&nbsp;

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Assam: All Assam Students' Union (AASU) holds protest in Guwahati against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CitizenshipAmendmentAct?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CitizenshipAmendmentAct</a>. <a href="https://t.co/B7xzpywyME">pic.twitter.com/B7xzpywyME</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1205395696662138880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Assam CM Sarbanada Sonowal said that the government will not tolerate any act of violence and "strong action will be taken against anyone who is involved in vandalism”. The Assam chief minister also said that he was “committed to protect the rights of indigenous people” of Assam and urged parents to persuade their children to avoid joining violent demonstrators. &nbsp;

&nbsp;The mobile services in the state of Meghalaya also remained suspended. &nbsp;

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/president-ram-nath-kovind-gives-nod-to-citizenship-amendment-bill-267991">Ram Nath Kovind</a>, late on Thursday, gave his assent to the Bill, signing it into law, despite the killing of two people in Guwahati and vandalism in northeastern states.&nbsp;

The Bill gives Indian citizenship to the people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities coming to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution.

On Friday, Congress party moved to the Supreme Court over the citizenship bill, claiming that the Act violates Article 14 of the Indian Constitution.

(with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Amid the uproar in India's northeast region over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019, the curfew imposed in some of the areas have been lifted due to a halt in violence, officials said.

Amid the uproar in India's northeast region over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019, the curfew imposed in some of the areas have been lifted due to a halt in violence, officials said. The police officials said that the curfew was relaxed in areas of Shillong on Friday for 12 hours as no "untoward incident" was reported in these regions. "The curfew has been relaxed from 10 am to 10 pm in the areas under Sadar and Lumdiengjri police station limits," East Khasi Hills district deputy commissioner MW Nongbri said. The commissioner, however, added that mobile internet and messaging services would remain suspended in these areas. The curfew in some areas of Shillong was imposed at 9 pm on Thursday. Earlier, curfew was also relaxed for five hours till 1 pm in Assam's Dibrugarh, the epicentre of the protest. However, protests continued in Guwahati in Assam by the All Assam Students' Union (AASU). Assam: All Assam Students' Union (AASU) holds protest in Guwahati against #CitizenshipAmendmentAct. pic.twitter.com/B7xzpywyME — ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2019 × Assam CM Sarbanada Sonowal said that the government will not tolerate any act of violence and "strong action will be taken against anyone who is involved in vandalism”. The Assam chief minister also said that he was “committed to protect the rights of indigenous people” of Assam and urged parents to persuade their children to avoid joining violent demonstrators. The mobile services in the state of Meghalaya also remained suspended. President Ram Nath Kovind, late on Thursday, gave his assent to the Bill, signing it into law, despite the killing of two people in Guwahati and vandalism in northeastern states. The Bill gives Indian citizenship to the people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities coming to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution. On Friday, Congress party moved to the Supreme Court over the citizenship bill, claiming that the Act violates Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. (with inputs from agencies)

Curfew lifted from few regions in India's Northeast as protests continue against Citizenship Bill

The Japanese Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abe-might-cancel-india-trip-report-268002">Shinzo Abe's </a>visit to India has been postponed to a later date, the Indian foreign ministry confirmed on Friday.

As per sources, the visit was scheduled to be held in India's Northeast region, where massive protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has led to unrest.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar confirmed the postponement through a tweet, adding that a mutually convenient date would be decided in the future.&nbsp;

"With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future,"the MEA spokseperson said in a tweet.&nbsp;

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With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM <a href="https://twitter.com/AbeShinzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AbeShinzo</a> to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future.
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1205404342196424710?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Abe was scheduled to arrive in India on December 15 for the seond annual bilateral summit between India and Japan. It was also expected that Japanese PM will pay a visit to northeast's Imphal and thereby becoming first Japanese PM to visit the region.&nbsp;

The protests in the northeastern region, especially in Assam continue against the Bill that intends to give citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.&nbsp;

On Thursday, two people were killed in Assam's Guwahati, while in many states police and other vehicles were set on fire.&nbsp;

The citizenship bill provides Indian citizenship to the people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, to India due to religious persecution.

(with inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India has been postponed to a later date, the Indian foreign ministry confirmed on Friday. As per sources, the visit was scheduled to be held in India's Northeast region, where massive protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has led to unrest.

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to India has been postponed to a later date, the Indian foreign ministry confirmed on Friday. As per sources, the visit was scheduled to be held in India's Northeast region, where massive protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill has led to unrest. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar confirmed the postponement through a tweet, adding that a mutually convenient date would be decided in the future. "With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM Shinzo Abe to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future,"the MEA spokseperson said in a tweet. With reference to the proposed visit of Japanese PM @AbeShinzo to India, both sides have decided to defer the visit to a mutually convenient date in the near future. — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) December 13, 2019 × Abe was scheduled to arrive in India on December 15 for the seond annual bilateral summit between India and Japan. It was also expected that Japanese PM will pay a visit to northeast's Imphal and thereby becoming first Japanese PM to visit the region. The protests in the northeastern region, especially in Assam continue against the Bill that intends to give citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. On Thursday, two people were killed in Assam's Guwahati, while in many states police and other vehicles were set on fire. The citizenship bill provides Indian citizenship to the people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, to India due to religious persecution. (with inputs from agencies)

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's visit to India postponed

Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/2002-gujarat-riots-nanavati-mehta-commission-gives-clean-chit-to-narendra-modi-267592">Narendra Modi </a>on Thursday assured the people of Assam that no one can take away their rights, unique identity and beautiful culture, amid protests in parts of the state against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

"I want to assure my brothers and sisters of Assam that they have nothing to worry after the passing of #CAB. I want to assure them- no one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow," the Prime Minister tweeted.

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I want to assure my brothers and sisters of Assam that they have nothing to worry after the passing of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CAB</a>. 
 
I want to assure them- no one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1204981291730341888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"The Central Government and I are totally committed to constitutionally safeguard the political, linguistic, cultural and land rights of the Assamese people as per the spirit of Clause 6," he said in another tweet.

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The Central Government and I are totally committed to constitutionally safeguard the political, linguistic, cultural and land rights of the Assamese people as per the spirit of Clause 6.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1204981391710019584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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During the discussions on the CAB, Union Home Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-rise-of-amit-shah-as-indias-new-loh-purush-242162">Amit Shah</a> had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is committed to preserving linguistic and cultural rights as well as the social identity of people in northeastern states.

"In northeastern states, we will try to address the issues raised by them about the law. We repeat our commitment to preserving the language, culture, and social identity rights of northeastern states. There are provisions to preserve these rights. The concern of the northeast will be addressed, we had said this earlier," he said. 
Assam's capital city Guwahati and its district Dibrugarh have been placed under indefinite curfew till further orders in the wake of protests after the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cab-to-function-like-a-one-time-drive-says-top-rss-functionary-267715">CAB</a>) in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

The administration has also suspended mobile Internet services for 24 hours from 7 pm on Wednesday in ten districts of the state-Lakhimpur, Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Kamrup (metro) and Kamrup.

An order of the Assam administration warned that violation of the "promulgation" will be punishable under <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-he-goes-missing-is-found-congress-leader-hardik-patel-visit-togadia-in-hospital-29739">Section 188 IPC</a> and also under the relevant provision of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

The decision came in the wake of protests in the state against the CAB.

Also, the Indian Army said that two columns of Assam Rifles troops have been deployed in Tripura and the third column in Assam is on standby at the request of the city Administration in Tripura and Assam.

The CAB smoothly sailed through Parliament after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajya-sabha-passes-citizenship-amendment-bill-267747">Rajya Sabha</a> passed it on Wednesday. As many as 125 members of the Upper House voted in favour while 105 MPs voted against the Bill, which was passed by Lok Sabha earlier this week.

The Bill seeks to grant Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zoroastrian communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday assured the people of Assam that no one can take away their rights, unique identity and beautiful culture, amid protests in parts of the state against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday assured the people of Assam that no one can take away their rights, unique identity and beautiful culture, amid protests in parts of the state against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019. "I want to assure my brothers and sisters of Assam that they have nothing to worry after the passing of #CAB. I want to assure them- no one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow," the Prime Minister tweeted. I want to assure my brothers and sisters of Assam that they have nothing to worry after the passing of #CAB. I want to assure them- no one can take away your rights, unique identity and beautiful culture. It will continue to flourish and grow. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2019 × "The Central Government and I are totally committed to constitutionally safeguard the political, linguistic, cultural and land rights of the Assamese people as per the spirit of Clause 6," he said in another tweet. The Central Government and I are totally committed to constitutionally safeguard the political, linguistic, cultural and land rights of the Assamese people as per the spirit of Clause 6. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 12, 2019 × During the discussions on the CAB, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is committed to preserving linguistic and cultural rights as well as the social identity of people in northeastern states. "In northeastern states, we will try to address the issues raised by them about the law. We repeat our commitment to preserving the language, culture, and social identity rights of northeastern states. There are provisions to preserve these rights. The concern of the northeast will be addressed, we had said this earlier," he said. Assam's capital city Guwahati and its district Dibrugarh have been placed under indefinite curfew till further orders in the wake of protests after the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The administration has also suspended mobile Internet services for 24 hours from 7 pm on Wednesday in ten districts of the state-Lakhimpur, Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Golaghat, Kamrup (metro) and Kamrup. An order of the Assam administration warned that violation of the "promulgation" will be punishable under Section 188 IPC and also under the relevant provision of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. The decision came in the wake of protests in the state against the CAB. Also, the Indian Army said that two columns of Assam Rifles troops have been deployed in Tripura and the third column in Assam is on standby at the request of the city Administration in Tripura and Assam. The CAB smoothly sailed through Parliament after the Rajya Sabha passed it on Wednesday. As many as 125 members of the Upper House voted in favour while 105 MPs voted against the Bill, which was passed by Lok Sabha earlier this week. The Bill seeks to grant Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zoroastrian communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

No one can take away your rights, unique identity: Prime Minister assures Assam on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill

In India Citizenship amendment bill passed in Rajya Sabha. 125 votes are in favour of the bill and 105 votes are in against of the bill.

India: Citizenship amendment bill passed in Rajya Sabha

Amidst heated arguments and loud protests within the Parliament and violent street demonstrations in parts of India, particularly North East, the ruling coalition government in India led by the BJP has managed to push through the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament. It was passed in Rajya Sabha ( Upper House) on December 11, after being cleared by the Lok Sabha (Lower House) earlier. It now awaits the clerical formality of President’s consent to become tan Act.&nbsp;

The crux of the amendment is that the government of India can now grant Indian citizenship to such members of selected religious minorities from any of the three neighbouring countries namely Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who face/faced persecution in their respective countries. In this context, the Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis have been identified as those minorities which would qualify to seek and get Indian citizenship. The Muslims have been consciously excluded from the list of eligible minorities. &nbsp;

The thrust of the opposition to the amendment is that it (the amendment) violates the Constitution of India in terms of equality ( Article 14 and Article 15) and is an onslaught on the concept of secularism enshrined in the Constitution as the proposed amendment is applicable on the basis of religion and further it excludes Muslims from the list of prospective beneficiaries. &nbsp;

During the debates within and outside Parliament, the ruling party has forcefully defended its decision by arguing that the “minority status” and the “persecution of minorities” is the guiding principle and that religion has nothing to do with it. Explaining as to why Muslims have been excluded, the ruling party has argued that the three neighbouring countries under reference are Islamic countries and therefore the question of persecution of Muslims by Muslims in Islamic countries is not relevant in the given context.&nbsp;

When asked as to why the Muslim minorities such as Shias and Ahmadis being persecuted by the Sunni-majority Muslims have been excluded, if the persecution is the criteria, the government’s counter-argument is that Shias and Ahmadis are sects of Islam, and therefore, issues pertaining to them must be resolved within the framework of Islam in Islamic countries. The government, however, doesn’t seem to have a suitable explanation as to why exclude the Rohingya Muslims minority who are being persecuted not by the Muslims but by the Buddhist majority in neighbouring Myanmar. &nbsp;

Addressing the apprehensions, particularly of the Muslim minorities within India, where the Muslims constitute close to 15 per cent of the population, the government has repeatedly assured that the amendment is designed to “grant” and Not “withdraw” citizenship and therefore they should have no reason to fear any impact of the amendment on their status. The government has gone further to reveal that more than five hundred Muslims have in the past been granted Indian Citizenship on case-by-case basis. &nbsp;

In the given context, the pertinent question is: Do we really need the amendment under reference?&nbsp;Authentic statistics and reports are available to establish that the non-Muslim minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh (mainly Hindus, Sikhs and Christians) are indeed under pressure and their population in those countries has declined considerably either on account of migration or due to forced conversions. A large number of them are said to be already present in India but are deprived of several benefits for not being legitimate citizens of India. The humanitarian dimension of the issue at hand is well established. &nbsp;

However, do we need to amend our Citizenship Act to address this humanitarian issue? There have been in the past several instances when India has accepted Refugees of Indian origin from other countries (eg, Uganda, Burma ) and granted them Indian citizenship. Several hundred thousand “Indian Tamils” (Those who were sent to Sri Lanka as labourers at Tea and Rubber plantations by the British in mid -19th century) were accepted in India and rehabilitated under bilateral India-Sri Lanka agreement. One may, therefore, ask as to why could we not continue with the past practice of case-by-case approach and take appropriate action as and when the situation arose.&nbsp;

In my opinion, a ready-to-implement instrument sanctioned by the Law of the Land is a far better arrangement than ad-hoc actions, decisions or solutions. However, the government, which has arguably adopted a selective approach both in the selection of countries and minorities could have possibly avoided controversy by not identifying the religious minorities in black and white. It should have served the purpose by simply stating that the minorities currently facing persecution in three neighbouring countries i.e. Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan or those who faced persecution in the past in those countries and are already in India are eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship and their application will be given due consideration after taking into account all aspects including national security while reserving its right to decline.

The government would have thus stated the obvious. The government in its wisdom has, however, decided to be unambiguous in conveying the message that Muslims persecuted by Muslims will not be covered by the amendment. In fact by excluding Myanmar and thus Rohingya Muslims, it has gone further to convey that the Muslims persecuted anywhere in the world will not be automatically eligible for applying for Indian Citizenship.&nbsp;

Even if the government has been guided by security considerations, which the presence in India in particular of the Rohingya Muslims could pose, the government has given an excuse to opposition to accuse it of taking yet another step in the direction of moving India towards Hindu Rashtra (Hindu State), ignoring the long history and tradition of religious, ethnic and linguistic pluralism in India where practically all world religions are represented and their followers have the freedom to practice and preach their respective religions.&nbsp;

The amendment implicitly accuses the three countries of atrocities against the minorities. The Afghan government is unlikely to react as the alleged atrocities are attributable to Taliban. In the case of Pakistan, it is immaterial as the relations cannot go worse than what they are now. However, by cancelling the scheduled visit of its foreign minister to India presumable to register its protest, Bangladesh has made its intention clear not to take the accusations of atrocities lying down, and in due course of time, India will have to take measures to repair the damage.&nbsp;

The government of India has suitably and justifiably snubbed those in the West who have criticised the Bill, describing it for instance as a “dangerous turn in the wrong direction” (US Federal Commission on International Religious Freedom statement). However, the battle at home remains inconclusive as violent protests in Assam defying curfew continue unabated on the one hand and on the other the Indian Union Muslim League ( IUML) has challenged (December 12) &nbsp;the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Supreme Court alleging that the Bill violates the fundamental Right to Equality of the Constitution of India, and needless to add that its outcome will be keenly awaited. &nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Amidst heated arguments and loud protests within the Parliament and violent street demonstrations in parts of India, particularly North East, the ruling coalition government in India led by the BJP has managed to push through the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.

Amidst heated arguments and loud protests within the Parliament and violent street demonstrations in parts of India, particularly North East, the ruling coalition government in India led by the BJP has managed to push through the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament. It was passed in Rajya Sabha ( Upper House) on December 11, after being cleared by the Lok Sabha (Lower House) earlier. It now awaits the clerical formality of President’s consent to become tan Act. The crux of the amendment is that the government of India can now grant Indian citizenship to such members of selected religious minorities from any of the three neighbouring countries namely Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who face/faced persecution in their respective countries. In this context, the Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Jains and Parsis have been identified as those minorities which would qualify to seek and get Indian citizenship. The Muslims have been consciously excluded from the list of eligible minorities. The thrust of the opposition to the amendment is that it (the amendment) violates the Constitution of India in terms of equality ( Article 14 and Article 15) and is an onslaught on the concept of secularism enshrined in the Constitution as the proposed amendment is applicable on the basis of religion and further it excludes Muslims from the list of prospective beneficiaries. During the debates within and outside Parliament, the ruling party has forcefully defended its decision by arguing that the “minority status” and the “persecution of minorities” is the guiding principle and that religion has nothing to do with it. Explaining as to why Muslims have been excluded, the ruling party has argued that the three neighbouring countries under reference are Islamic countries and therefore the question of persecution of Muslims by Muslims in Islamic countries is not relevant in the given context. When asked as to why the Muslim minorities such as Shias and Ahmadis being persecuted by the Sunni-majority Muslims have been excluded, if the persecution is the criteria, the government’s counter-argument is that Shias and Ahmadis are sects of Islam, and therefore, issues pertaining to them must be resolved within the framework of Islam in Islamic countries. The government, however, doesn’t seem to have a suitable explanation as to why exclude the Rohingya Muslims minority who are being persecuted not by the Muslims but by the Buddhist majority in neighbouring Myanmar. Addressing the apprehensions, particularly of the Muslim minorities within India, where the Muslims constitute close to 15 per cent of the population, the government has repeatedly assured that the amendment is designed to “grant” and Not “withdraw” citizenship and therefore they should have no reason to fear any impact of the amendment on their status. The government has gone further to reveal that more than five hundred Muslims have in the past been granted Indian Citizenship on case-by-case basis. In the given context, the pertinent question is: Do we really need the amendment under reference? Authentic statistics and reports are available to establish that the non-Muslim minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh (mainly Hindus, Sikhs and Christians) are indeed under pressure and their population in those countries has declined considerably either on account of migration or due to forced conversions. A large number of them are said to be already present in India but are deprived of several benefits for not being legitimate citizens of India. The humanitarian dimension of the issue at hand is well established. However, do we need to amend our Citizenship Act to address this humanitarian issue? There have been in the past several instances when India has accepted Refugees of Indian origin from other countries (eg, Uganda, Burma ) and granted them Indian citizenship. Several hundred thousand “Indian Tamils” (Those who were sent to Sri Lanka as labourers at Tea and Rubber plantations by the British in mid -19th century) were accepted in India and rehabilitated under bilateral India-Sri Lanka agreement. One may, therefore, ask as to why could we not continue with the past practice of case-by-case approach and take appropriate action as and when the situation arose. In my opinion, a ready-to-implement instrument sanctioned by the Law of the Land is a far better arrangement than ad-hoc actions, decisions or solutions. However, the government, which has arguably adopted a selective approach both in the selection of countries and minorities could have possibly avoided controversy by not identifying the religious minorities in black and white. It should have served the purpose by simply stating that the minorities currently facing persecution in three neighbouring countries i.e. Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan or those who faced persecution in the past in those countries and are already in India are eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship and their application will be given due consideration after taking into account all aspects including national security while reserving its right to decline. The government would have thus stated the obvious. The government in its wisdom has, however, decided to be unambiguous in conveying the message that Muslims persecuted by Muslims will not be covered by the amendment. In fact by excluding Myanmar and thus Rohingya Muslims, it has gone further to convey that the Muslims persecuted anywhere in the world will not be automatically eligible for applying for Indian Citizenship. Even if the government has been guided by security considerations, which the presence in India in particular of the Rohingya Muslims could pose, the government has given an excuse to opposition to accuse it of taking yet another step in the direction of moving India towards Hindu Rashtra (Hindu State), ignoring the long history and tradition of religious, ethnic and linguistic pluralism in India where practically all world religions are represented and their followers have the freedom to practice and preach their respective religions. The amendment implicitly accuses the three countries of atrocities against the minorities. The Afghan government is unlikely to react as the alleged atrocities are attributable to Taliban. In the case of Pakistan, it is immaterial as the relations cannot go worse than what they are now. However, by cancelling the scheduled visit of its foreign minister to India presumable to register its protest, Bangladesh has made its intention clear not to take the accusations of atrocities lying down, and in due course of time, India will have to take measures to repair the damage. The government of India has suitably and justifiably snubbed those in the West who have criticised the Bill, describing it for instance as a “dangerous turn in the wrong direction” (US Federal Commission on International Religious Freedom statement). However, the battle at home remains inconclusive as violent protests in Assam defying curfew continue unabated on the one hand and on the other the Indian Union Muslim League ( IUML) has challenged (December 12) the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Supreme Court alleging that the Bill violates the fundamental Right to Equality of the Constitution of India, and needless to add that its outcome will be keenly awaited. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Citizenship Amendment Bill: Avoidable controversy?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be brought in soon while also adding that it will be explained in Parliament the same way Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was.

"There is no need to connect Citizenship (Amendment) Bill with National Register of Citizens (NRC). I will explain it [NRC] the same way in the Parliament as CAB. Rest assured, NRC will be brought in soon," Shah said in the Lower House.

The Lok Sabha today cleared the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 with 311 votings in support and 80 against.&nbsp;

The debate on the issue lasted for seven hours. The Bill seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

Through this Bill, Indian citizenship will be provided to the members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from the three countries to India till December 31, 2014, to put an end to them being treated as illegal immigrants in the country.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be brought in soon while also adding that it will be explained in Parliament the same way Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) will be brought in soon while also adding that it will be explained in Parliament the same way Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was. "There is no need to connect Citizenship (Amendment) Bill with National Register of Citizens (NRC). I will explain it [NRC] the same way in the Parliament as CAB. Rest assured, NRC will be brought in soon," Shah said in the Lower House. The Lok Sabha today cleared the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 with 311 votings in support and 80 against. The debate on the issue lasted for seven hours. The Bill seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Through this Bill, Indian citizenship will be provided to the members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from the three countries to India till December 31, 2014, to put an end to them being treated as illegal immigrants in the country.

National Register of Citizens will be brought in soon, don't link it with Citizenship Bill: Amit Shah

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) raised concerns on the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) that was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday midnight. Meanwhile, the Government sources to WION said that the body's views hold no relevance and their observations are totally unfounded.

WION Dispatch: US Commission opposes Citizenship Amendment Bill

The ministry of external affairs(MEA) today slammed the US panel on international religious freedom for its statements on the citizenship amendment bill.

"We regret the inaccurate and unwarranted comments made by USCIRF on CAB," the MEA said, adding, "they have chosen to be guided by their prejudices and biases on a matter on which they have little knowledge and no locus standi."

"The Bill provides expedited consideration for Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities already in India from certain contiguous countries. It seeks to address their current difficulties and meet their basic human rights," it said.

"Such an initiative should be welcomed, not criticised by those who are genuinely committed to religious freedom," the MEA statement said.

On Tuesday, the US House foreign affairs committee has raised concerns over the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha.&nbsp;

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We regret the inaccurate and unwarranted comments made by USCIRF on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CAB</a>. They have chosen to be guided by their prejudices and biases on a matter on which they have little knowledge and no locus standi. 
 
Read our full statement below ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/BLajy03MtZ">pic.twitter.com/BLajy03MtZ</a>
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1204322008495837184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Religious pluralism is central to the foundations of both India and the United States and is one of our core shared values. Any religious test for citizenship undermines this most basic democratic tenet," the committee reacted after the passage of the bill.

"The CAB does not affect the existing avenues available to all communities interested in seeking citizenship from doing so. The record of granting such citizenship would bear out the government of India's objectivity in that record," the MEA said.

"Neither the CAB nor the National Register of Citizens(NRC) process seeks to strip citizenship from any Indian citizen of any faith," it said.

"Suggestions to that affect are motivated and unjustified."

"Every nation, including the United States, has the right to enumerate and validate its citizenry and to exercise this prerogative through various policies," the statement added.

"The position articulated by USCIRF is not surprising given its past record. It is, however, regrettable that the body has chosen to be guided only by its prejudices and biases on a matter on which clearly it has little knowledge and no locus standi."

The ministry of external affairs(MEA) today slammed the US panel on international religious freedom for its statements on the citizenship amendment bill. "We regret the inaccurate and unwarranted comments made by USCIRF on CAB," the MEA said, adding, "they have chosen to be guided by their prejudices and biases on a matter on which they have little knowledge and no locus standi.

The ministry of external affairs(MEA) today slammed the US panel on international religious freedom for its statements on the citizenship amendment bill. "We regret the inaccurate and unwarranted comments made by USCIRF on CAB," the MEA said, adding, "they have chosen to be guided by their prejudices and biases on a matter on which they have little knowledge and no locus standi." "The Bill provides expedited consideration for Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities already in India from certain contiguous countries. It seeks to address their current difficulties and meet their basic human rights," it said. "Such an initiative should be welcomed, not criticised by those who are genuinely committed to religious freedom," the MEA statement said. On Tuesday, the US House foreign affairs committee has raised concerns over the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha. We regret the inaccurate and unwarranted comments made by USCIRF on #CAB. They have chosen to be guided by their prejudices and biases on a matter on which they have little knowledge and no locus standi. Read our full statement below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/BLajy03MtZ — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) December 10, 2019 × "Religious pluralism is central to the foundations of both India and the United States and is one of our core shared values. Any religious test for citizenship undermines this most basic democratic tenet," the committee reacted after the passage of the bill. "The CAB does not affect the existing avenues available to all communities interested in seeking citizenship from doing so. The record of granting such citizenship would bear out the government of India's objectivity in that record," the MEA said. "Neither the CAB nor the National Register of Citizens(NRC) process seeks to strip citizenship from any Indian citizen of any faith," it said. "Suggestions to that affect are motivated and unjustified." "Every nation, including the United States, has the right to enumerate and validate its citizenry and to exercise this prerogative through various policies," the statement added. "The position articulated by USCIRF is not surprising given its past record. It is, however, regrettable that the body has chosen to be guided only by its prejudices and biases on a matter on which clearly it has little knowledge and no locus standi."

India slams US panel over statement on Citizenship Amendment Bill

Union Home Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-result-2019-bjp-leaders-react-to-landslide-win-of-pm-narendra-modi-220885">Amit Shah</a> on Tuesday said that the situation in Kashmir valley is completely "normal" and not a single bullet was fired.

"The situation in Kashmir valley is completely normal. I can't make Congress's condition normal, because they had predicted bloodshed after the abrogation of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/article-370-abrogation-foreign-medias-india-bias-249191">Article 370</a>. Nothing of that sort happened, not one bullet was fired," Shah said in Lok Sabha today.

The Home Minister also said that 99.5 per cent of students gave the examination and 7 lakh patients visited OPD in Srinagar.

He also highlighted that curfew has been withdrawn from all police station limits in Jammu and Kashmir and not a single person died due to police firing.

In August, the government abrogated Article 370 that gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the region into two union territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the situation in Kashmir valley is completely "normal" and not a single bullet was fired. "The situation in Kashmir valley is completely normal.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the situation in Kashmir valley is completely "normal" and not a single bullet was fired. "The situation in Kashmir valley is completely normal. I can't make Congress's condition normal, because they had predicted bloodshed after the abrogation of Article 370. Nothing of that sort happened, not one bullet was fired," Shah said in Lok Sabha today. The Home Minister also said that 99.5 per cent of students gave the examination and 7 lakh patients visited OPD in Srinagar. He also highlighted that curfew has been withdrawn from all police station limits in Jammu and Kashmir and not a single person died due to police firing. In August, the government abrogated Article 370 that gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the region into two union territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Not one bullet fired, situation in Kashmir normal: Amit Shah

In India, the citizenship amendment bill 2019 passed by Lok sabha at midnight.

India: CITIZENSHIP AMENDMENT BILL 2019 PASSED IN LOK SABHA

Manipur will be included in the Inner Line Permit (IPL) system, Home Minister Amit Shah announced while moving the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, for passage in Lok Sabha on Monday.

"We are including Manipur in the Inner Line Permit system. This big issue has now been resolved. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of people of Manipur for fulfilling this long-standing demand," the Home Minister told the House.

An ILP is a travel document that is issued by the Government of India for travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period.

This practice owes its origin to the British admin's the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations of 1873 and is seen as a security measure as well as an effort to conserve the ethnic-social demographics of certain societies.

Speaking on the bill, Shah said that the government is committed to protecting the identity of Northeast people.

"We are committed to protecting the socio, linguistic and cultural identity of people of Northeast," he said.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

Through this Bill, Indian citizenship will be provided to the members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from the three countries to India till December 31, 2014, to put an end to them being treated as illegal immigrants in the country.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Manipur will be included in the Inner Line Permit (IPL) system, Home Minister Amit Shah announced while moving the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, for passage in Lok Sabha on Monday.

Manipur will be included in the Inner Line Permit (IPL) system, Home Minister Amit Shah announced while moving the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, for passage in Lok Sabha on Monday. "We are including Manipur in the Inner Line Permit system. This big issue has now been resolved. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of people of Manipur for fulfilling this long-standing demand," the Home Minister told the House. An ILP is a travel document that is issued by the Government of India for travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period. This practice owes its origin to the British admin's the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations of 1873 and is seen as a security measure as well as an effort to conserve the ethnic-social demographics of certain societies. Speaking on the bill, Shah said that the government is committed to protecting the identity of Northeast people. "We are committed to protecting the socio, linguistic and cultural identity of people of Northeast," he said. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Through this Bill, Indian citizenship will be provided to the members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from the three countries to India till December 31, 2014, to put an end to them being treated as illegal immigrants in the country.

Manipur to be included in Inner Line Permit system: Amit Shah informs Parliament

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who tabled the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 in the Lok Sabha on Monday, said that Muslims from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh won`t get the benefit of this amendment as they have not faced religious persecution.

"If any Muslim from these three (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh) nations applies for citizenship according to our law, then we will consider it, but the person won`t get the benefit of this amendment as the person has not faced religious persecution," said Shah in the Lower House.

"In Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Parsis and Jains have been discriminated against. So, this bill will give these persecuted people citizenship. Also, the allegation that this Bill will take away the rights of Muslims is wrong," he said.

"Why do we need this Bill today? After independence, if the Congress had not done the partition on the basis of religion, then today we would have not needed this Bill," he said.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

Through this Bill, Indian citizenship will be provided to the members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from the three countries to India till December 31, 2014, to put an end to them being treated as illegal immigrants in the country.

It is important to note that the Bill was passed by the Lower House of Parliament earlier this year but lapsed with the term of the previous Lok Sabha during the first term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government at the Centre.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who tabled the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 in the Lok Sabha on Monday, said that Muslims from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh won`t get the benefit of this amendment as they have not faced religious persecution.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who tabled the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 in the Lok Sabha on Monday, said that Muslims from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh won`t get the benefit of this amendment as they have not faced religious persecution. "If any Muslim from these three (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh) nations applies for citizenship according to our law, then we will consider it, but the person won`t get the benefit of this amendment as the person has not faced religious persecution," said Shah in the Lower House. "In Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Parsis and Jains have been discriminated against. So, this bill will give these persecuted people citizenship. Also, the allegation that this Bill will take away the rights of Muslims is wrong," he said. "Why do we need this Bill today? After independence, if the Congress had not done the partition on the basis of religion, then today we would have not needed this Bill," he said. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Through this Bill, Indian citizenship will be provided to the members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from the three countries to India till December 31, 2014, to put an end to them being treated as illegal immigrants in the country. It is important to note that the Bill was passed by the Lower House of Parliament earlier this year but lapsed with the term of the previous Lok Sabha during the first term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

Muslims from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh won't get benefits of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill: Amit Shah

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