Citizenship Bill will secure citizenship to victims of persecution: President

President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday said that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will give justice to persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan through Indian citizenship. His remarks on the contentious Bill came at a time, when several indigenous organisations in Assam as well as in other Northeastern States have been continuously opposing the Bill.

While addressing the joint sitting of both the Houses in Central Hall the President said, "The Citizenship Amendment Bill will help in the securing of Indian citizenship by those victims who were persecuted and were compelled to seek refuge in India. These people cannot be blamed since they were victims of circumstances," adding, "Mindful of the prevalence of injustice and deprivation in the society, my government has been working towards reforming the legal system so as to ensure social and economic justice."

Earlier, NDA's overwhelming majority in the Lok Sabha helped the government pass the bill in the winter session of the Parliament and is likely to be pushed in the Rajya Sabha during this Budget session.

BJP's ally in Assam, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has quit its alliance with the saffron party in protest against the Bill. Meanwhile, Congress will issue a three-line whip to its members of Rajya Sabha to vote against the citizenship bill. Notably, another ally of BJP, the JD(U) is also opposing the Bill.