Will not allow Citizenship Amendment Bill to be passed in Rajya Sabha, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said that the Congress, if voted to power at the Centre, will not allow the Citizenship Amendment Bill to be passed in the Rajya Sabha.

The Bill, passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8, provides for according Indian citizenship to the the Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India instead of 12 years currently even if they do not possess any document. 

The contentious Bill led to violent protests in Assam and other northeastern states. Political parties in Assam have been leading the protests as they feel that the bill goes against the Assam Accord of 1985 and the National Register of Citizens.

It may be recalled, that the BJP appears to have been isolated over the issue. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a partner in the BJP-led Assam government, broke up with the saffron party while the NDA allies, the Shiv Sena and the JD (U), have opposed this legislation.

The bill will apply to all States and Union Territories of the country and the beneficiaries of Citizenship Amendment Bill will be able to reside in any state of the country.

Sounding the poll bugle in the northeast, Rahul Gandhi, while addressing a rally in Itanagar, also said that if voted to power, the Congress will restore the special category status to Arunachal Pradesh and other northeastern states.

"There are some states in the country which require special status because of their "unique problems and difficulties" such as connectivity, terrain, infrastructure," he said.

During the Congress rule at the Centre, he said, Arunachal Pradesh and other NE states used to enjoy special category status.

The Congress party will never attack the language, culture, customs and tradition of Arunachal Pradesh and other NE states, he said.

Election to the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh Assembly and two Lok Sabha seats will be held on April 11.