As protests against the Citizenship Act flare across the northeast and in other parts of the country, National President of Swaraj India Yogendra Yadav spoke to The Quint on its various aspects.
Speaking to Sanjay Pugalia, Editorial Director of The Quint, Yadav said it is one of the most significant laws made in India as this is the first instance of the country's citizenship being linked to religion.
“Citizenship Act will hamper our society in the same manner as demonetisation did to economy,” Yadav said.
On being asked about the government’s stand of providing refuge to those who have been persecuted in neighbouring countries, he said, “I would have saluted the government had its intention been to provide asylum to those persecuted in neighbouring countries. But cherry-picking just three Muslim-dominated countries and persecution merely on religious grounds defeats the very spirit of providing refuge.”
“The one line explanation of this Bill is no Muslims please. This is India,” Yadav exclaimed.
On being asked about the future of the Act once it is challenged in the court, he stated, “If Supreme Court goes strictly by the Constitution, it's an open and shut case, as the Bill essentially draws a divide between Muslims and other religions.”
Amid protests in the Northeast region, President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday, 12 December, gave his assent to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019, turning it into an Act.
According to the Act, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till 31 December 2014 and were facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship.
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