The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill or CAB, which seeks to make it easier for non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan to become citizens of India, has been cleared by the cabinet for tabling in Parliament. The bill is expected to be tabled on December 9 in the Parliament. This bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in January this year but lapsed without being cleared in Rajya Sabha. Even though the entire North Eastern states bitterly oppose this bill, the government of India is going ahead with the bill. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday told BJP parliamentarians that the bill is the top priority for the government, as important as the Article 370 decision to end special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
The BJP is determined to pass this bill. BJP’s main target is to appease the Bengali Hindu migrants from Bangladesh who have settled in states like West Bengal, Assam and Tripura. With West Bengal election due in 2021 the BJP is desperate to pass the bill in the winter session. It is very sad that party is going ahead with the decision to pass the CAB though the entire NE states in one voice have unanimously rejected this bill. Their utter disrespect for the sentiments of the indigenous people of the region has been thoroughly exposed. If CAB is passed the refugees settled in the region will get Indian citizenship. This will definitely lead to conflict with the indigenous community who are already feeling alienated.