Citizenship bill represents India's ethos of assimilation, tweets PM Modi

Soon after the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha on Monday (December 10) night, an elated Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express his delight over the development.

Stating that the proposed law was in line with India’s centuries old ethos of assimilation and belief in humanitarian values, the prime minister also lauded Union Home Minister Amit Shah for answering the various points raised by MPs during the discussion on the bill in the House.

I would like to specially applaud Home Minister @AmitShah Ji for lucidly explaining all aspects of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019. He also gave elaborate answers to the various points raised by respective MPs during the discussion in the Lok Sabha.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 9, 2019

The Lok Sabha passed the Bill with 311 votes in favour and 80 against it a little past midnight after a debate that lasted more than seven hours.

“Delighted that the Lok Sabha has passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 after a rich and extensive debate. I thank the various MPs and parties that supported the Bill. This Bill is in line with Indias centuries old ethos of assimilation and belief in humanitarian values,” Modi tweeted.

Shah responded to Modi’s congratulatory messages by tweeting that the party will “strive harder each day to build a new India” for the future generations.

The prime minister, who addressed election rallies in Jharkhand earlier in the day, was not present in the House during the passage of the Bill.

According to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, till December 31 2014, facing religious persecution there, will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship.

(With inputs from agencies)