The Rajya Sabha has passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 which aims to extend the Bharatiya humanitarian spirit to the persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. While 125 voted in favor of the amendment, 105 voted against the bill with zero abstentions. Shiv Sena had walked out of the parliament before the bill was set to vote. The amendment to the bill was passed in Lok Sabha on December 9th.
Division of votes:
AYES: 125
NOES: 105
ABST: 00
TOTAL: 230
Before the voting for the amendment, Rajya Sabha voted for sending the bill to a select panel. The demand by the opposition was rejected 113 – 92.
Prime Minister Modi tweeted his happiness at the passing of the bill in RS and said that it was a landmark day for India and our nation’s ethos of compassion and brotherhood. He also expressed his gratitude to all the MPs who voted in favour of the Bill. He tweeted that CAB will alleviate the suffering of many who faced persecution for years.
Home Minster Amit Shah who spoke in RS and answered all the questions and allegations over CAB in the Rajya Sabha, tweeted that with the passing of the bill the dreams of crores of deprived & victimised people has come true today. He said that he is grateful to PM Narendra Modi for his resolve to ensure dignity and safety for these affected people and thanked everyone for their support.
After hours of debate which started at 12PM today saw some acrimonious comments made by the opposition against the government and the bill. Many Congress leaders termed it as a dark day while BJP MPs and NDA allies welcomed the passing of the bill. AIADMK with its 11 MPs voted in favor of the amendment. Common people of India have welcomed the move with sporadic protests in parts of North-East.
Pakistani refugees celebrate the historic move
Many Pakistani Hindu refugees residing in Jaisalmer celebrated after the Rajya Sabha passed the CAB. Refugees of all ages joined in the celebrations where sweets were exchanged and crackers were burst.
In another instance of celebration, a Hindu family who had migrated from Pakistan and residing in Delhi named their newborn daughter “Nagrikta” anticipating the passing of the CAB in Rajya Sabha.
