What is Citizenship (Amendment) Bill?

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill seeks to provide Indian nationality to six communities — Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists fleeing persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.The bill amends the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants in the select categories eligible for citizenship.

What does the government say:

Home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday rejected the Opposition's charge that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was anti-Muslim, saying it does not take away the citizenship of any Indian Muslim and only seeks to given the same to persecuted minorities of three neighbouring countries. Replying to a debate on the bill in Rajya Sabha, he said the need to bring this Bill would not have arisen had Partition not taken place on the basis of religion. The Bill does not snatch citizenship of Muslims and their is no need for them to have any fear, he said.

What does the opposition say:

The legislation has been attacked by opposition parties, minority outfits and others for leaving out Muslims and also on the grounds that it is at odds with the Constitution, which does not differentiate between citizens on the basis of their faith.

Who are the parties opposing/supporting the Bill?

Congress, Trinamool, DMK, Samajwadi Party, RJD and Left, and even parties like Shiv Sena and BJD have expressed reservations. BJP's Assam ally AGP seemed to have warmed up to the idea of CAB after the government assured changes to the Bill. The government has the support of regional allies — Akali Dal and JD(U). AIADMK also voted in favour of the Bill in Rajya Sabha.

Why are some northeast states opposing the Bill?

The CAB has sparked resentment in the northeast as it is feared that granting citizenship to foreign refugees will undermine the ethnic communities living in these regions.There are indications that the government is working out a compromise. Formulations like provision of citizenship not leading to residency status in the smaller north-east states were discussed.