Janata Dal (United) to vote against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha

Janata Dal (United) to vote against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha

* A delegation of JD(U) meets leaders of AGP, AASU, NESO and 30 other indigenous bodies

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: In a development that would have significant political ramifications in the country, the Janata Dal (United) — an ally of the ruling NDA at the Centre — has announced that the party would vote against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Rajya Sabha.

Towards this end a delegation of JD (U) led by its secretary-general KC Tyagi on Monday met leaders of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), All Assam Students’ Union, North East Students’ Organization and 30 other indigenous organizations to lend support in their fight against the proposed legislation. The controversial Bill is currently awaiting approval or rejection in the Rajya Sabha.

The Bill if passed in the Rajya Sabha will facilitate the Centre to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslims who reportedly fled religious persecution from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and came to India till December 31, 2014.

“The JD (U) is the first political party which adopted resolution in its national executive meeting to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. The JD (U) chief Nitish Kumar announced that the party would stage its protest against the Bill from the streets to Parliament. We have come to Assam to take feedbacks from various organizations and individuals who are opposing the Bill,” JD (U) secretary general K.C. Tyagi said.

Addressing a press conference at the AGP headquarters at Ambari here on Monday afternoon, Tyagi urged all non-BJP parties to oppose the Bill in the Rajya Sabha. He said votes of six Rajya Sabha members of the JD (U) against the Citizenship Bill would be crucial to defeat the Centre’s move to pass the proposed legislation.

An Upper House member from Bihar, Tyagi, however, said no one can stop the Bill from getting implemented if the Congress boycotts the ensuing Rajya Sabha session.

“The Congress has to vote against the Bill. There are fear and apprehension that the Congress might adopt the tactics of staging a walk out in Rajya Sabha when the controversial Bill will be tabled for passage. If the Congress stages a walk out it will be clear that the party has helped in passage of the Bill,” Tyagi said.

According to Tyagi, the Bill will devastate Assam’s original and indigenous culture, language, values and ethos. The JD(U) delegation on Monday discussed in details about adverse impacts of the proposed legislation in Assam with leaders of AASU, NESO and 30 other indigenous organizations.

AASU’s advisor-in-chief Samujjal Bhattacharjya while praising the JD (U) for its opposition and concern over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, has appealed to all non-BJP parties to follow the JD (U). He said passage of the Bill must be prevented in the Rajya Sabha for the sake of safeguarding identity and future interest of indigenous people of the entire North East.

The JD(U) delegation will participate in the NE Chief Ministers’ conference scheduled to be held in the city on Tuesday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

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