This Article is From Dec 12, 2019

Parliament Winter Session Highlights: Rajya Sabha Passes Citizenship Amendment Bill With 125 Votes

Citizenship Amendment Bill In Rajya Sabha Updates: The controversial legislation provides that Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians fleeing persecution in Muslim-majority Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan can be granted citizenship. 

Parliament Winter Session Highlights: Rajya Sabha Passes Citizenship Amendment Bill With 125 Votes

Citizenship Amendment Bill: Amit Shah at the Rajya Sabha this afternoon

New Delhi:

In the Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah while responding to questions raised by the opposition, says the Citizenship Amendment Bill is about granting citizenship and not about taking it away. As protests continue against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, which was cleared by the Lok Sabha on Monday amid vehement opposition, the bill was introduced by Home Minister Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha this afternoon. While the BJP and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enjoy an overwhelming majority in the lower house that helped it 334 votes in favour of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, and 106 against in the lower house, the party's hold on the Rajya Sabha is wobblier. With a current strength of 240, the majority mark in the upper house is 121. The NDA, which includes parties like AIADMK, Janata Dal-United and the Akali Dal, has 116 members and expects the support of 14 others, taking its numbers to 130.

Violent protests have erupted in northeastern states against the bill, which seeks to make it easier for non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to become Indian citizens.

The controversial legislation provides that Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians fleeing persecution in Muslim-majority Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan can be granted citizenship. 

Here are the Highlights of the debate on Citizenship Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha: 

Dec 11, 2019 21:20 (IST)
"Bill will alleviate the suffering of many who faced persecution," tweets PM Modi
On Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says "landmark day for India".
Dec 11, 2019 20:58 (IST)
Citizenship Bill clears parliament with 117 votes, soon to be law amid protests

Dec 11, 2019 20:47 (IST)
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill Clears Parliament, Soon To Be Law Amid Protests
Rajya Sabha passes Citizenship Amendment Bill with 117 votes.
Dec 11, 2019 20:42 (IST)
Citizenship Amendment Bill against spirit of constitution of India: Jyotiraditya Scindia
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) is against the spirit of the Constitution and also India's centuries-old philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Wednesday. Criticising the Modi government for bringing the legislation, he said not only the Congress, but several other parties were opposed to the bill which seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan after facing religious persecution.

The architect of our Constitution Babasaheb Ambedkar had said people living in India should be looked at as citizens without taking into consideration their caste or religion.

"Taking this into account, the CAB is against the basic spirit of the Constitution given that Indian citizens had never been viewed with lens of their faith, the former Union Minister told reporters, reported PTI.
Dec 11, 2019 20:39 (IST)
431 Afghani, 2,307 Pakistani migrants given Indian citizenship since 2016: Govt tells Rajya Sabha

391 Afghani and 1,595 Pakistani migrants were granted Indian citizenship between 2016 and 2018, Union Minister Nityanand Rai told Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. He also said in 2019, 40 Afghani and 712 Pakistani migrants were given citizenship till December 6. He said as per available data, 927 Sikhs and Hindus from Afghanistan and Pakistan have been granted Indian Citizenship since 2016, reported news agency PTI.

Dec 11, 2019 20:21 (IST)
"Sardar Patel will be angry if he meets Narendra Modi": Anand Sharma
"In our religion, we believe in rebirth and that we meet our elders. So if Sardar Patel meets Modi he will be very angry with him. Gandhiji will of course be sad, but Patel will be indeed very angry," said Anand Sharma. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill or CAB seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India before 2015. It was passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday after a seven hour debate. The bill is an "assault" on the foundations of the Constitution and fails the morality test, said Anand Sharma, asserting that it was wrong to blame his party for the Partition. "The Bill that you have brought is an assault on the very foundation of the Indian constitution. It is an assault on the Republic of India. It hurts the soul of India. It is against our Constitution and democracy. It fails the morality test. It is divisive and discriminatory," Mr Sharma said.
Dec 11, 2019 20:19 (IST)
We don't divide people on basis of caste, religion: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said unity in diversity is the ethos of the state and people here are not divided on the basis of caste, creed and religion. Ms Banerjee statement came when the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is being debated in Rajya Sabha. The contentious Bill that seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan after facing religious persecution there, was passed in the Lok Sabha yesterday. "Unity in diversity is the soul of the state and we don't divide people on the basis of caste, creed and religion. We believe in staying together. We are one family and no one staying here can say that he is deprived," Ms Banerjee said at the Bengal Business Conclave held in this coastal town reported PTI.
Dec 11, 2019 20:16 (IST)
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill: Manifesto Of Any Party Cannot Override Constitution, Says Congress Leader Anand Sharma
Congress leader Anand Sharma said that for centuries India had granted asylum to displaced people. It granted asylum even after Independence to the people from countries like Sri Lanka, Uganda, but religion was never a criteria for it.
Dec 11, 2019 20:03 (IST)
Rajya Sabha votes against sending the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to a select panel.
Dec 11, 2019 19:52 (IST)
Congress Leaders Echoed Pak On Article 370, Citizenship Bill: Amit Shah

Dec 11, 2019 19:39 (IST)
I appeal to all to support the bill brought for the persecuted: Amit Shah
"In 2013-2014, the amount meant for minorities welfare was Rs 35 crore. It was increased to Rs 47 crore in 2019-2020. I request you to accept the bill that PM Modi has brought for the welfare of minorities whp have faced persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, says Amit Shah.
Dec 11, 2019 19:33 (IST)
"In Pakistan, Hindu and Sikh women are abducted and are forcefully converted to Islam. Of the 428 temples, only 20 are left. 3.7% religious minorities are left in Pakistan. After Mujibur Rehman government fell, religious minorities faced tremendous tortures. Bangladeshi Hindus had to take refuge in India," says Amit Shah.
Dec 11, 2019 19:29 (IST)
Pakistan, Congress speaking the same language on citizenship bill: Amit Shah
"Pakistan and Congress are speaking the same language. The statements given by Pakistan are the same as those given by Congress today. Look at statements made yesterday by the Pakistan PM Imran Khan and see what the Congress leaders said today. Why did Congress oppose the Enemy-Property Bill?" asks Amit Shah
Dec 11, 2019 19:15 (IST)
Don't teach me the idea of India, says Amit Shah on citizenship bill
"Kapil Sibal asked how will we determine whether the minorities were persecuted. Our eyes and ears are open. There are a large number of articles being written around the world, there are newspapers and UN Human Rights Reports. We haven't shut our eyes and ears for vote banks. 21,000 sikhs from Afghanistan are living in Delhi. Tell me how does this affect the Muslims of India? The bill is about granting citizenship and not about taking it away. We were born here and will die here. Don't teach me the idea of India. Article 370, triple talaq, citizenship bill are not anti-muslim. Triple talaq does justice to muslim women. Aren't women citizens of this country? After Article 370 was scrapped, there is normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir," says Amit Shah
Dec 11, 2019 19:13 (IST)
Maharashtra wants to know why Sena changed their stance overnight: Amit Shah
"Shiv Sena supported the bill in Lok Sabha. Not just us, even Maharashtra wants to know why they changed their stance overnight. The BSP MP asked us why we have kept the deadline as 2014. We first introduced the bill in 2015 and hence the deadline is 2014, says Amit Shah.
Dec 11, 2019 19:08 (IST)
"In Bengal, for immersing of Durga idols, people have to get permission from the High Court. The administration didn't give them permission. People are talking about Nazi Germany. But Indian is a democracy. We all have rights in the country. Only during Emergency, democratic rights were suspended for a while," says Amit Shah.
Dec 11, 2019 18:55 (IST)
"We should respecct the Nehru-Liaquat Pact," says Amit Shah on Citizenship Bill
"The spirit of the Nehru-Liaquat Pact was not implemented by our neighbours. We should honour the agreement. Modi government believes we should respect and help the persecuted from these countries," says Amit Shah.
Dec 11, 2019 18:54 (IST)
Citizenship Amendment Bill doesn't hurt Article 14: Amit Shah
"We are taking in minorities from all countries where women are in danger, where people are in danger, hence I have brought this amendment. This bill doesn't hurt article 14 or any other articles. We have made laws and we know it will be accepted in the court as well. Congress is a weird party. We are not confused. When P Chidambaram was home minister, Rajasthan chief minister wrote to asking about refugees from Hindu and Sikh community. And congress has allowed 13k people only from these two religions but there was no problem there. Because congress is secular! How long will you fool people? I want to tell the minorities that they are absolutely safe here. We are not taking away anyone's citizenship. We have given Indian muslims so much respect. This is just to give citizenship to the affected minorities from these countries," says Amit Shah
Dec 11, 2019 18:43 (IST)
Citizenship Amendment Bill: Amit Shah speaks in the Rajya Sabha
"Our work is to solve the nation's problems. And then you say we are trying to distract people. The state religion of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan is Islam. We are bringing in people from 6 religions but people are only asking about muslims. In these countries, muslims are not minorities. So, how can they be persecuted if the state religion is Islam? There is little chance that they are persecuted if state religion is Islam and still we can also give citizenship to muslims. Muslims have been given citizenship under Modi regime and there is provision for even muslims to apply for citizenship, says Amit Shah.
Dec 11, 2019 18:38 (IST)
Citizenship Amendment Bill is not a political thing, says Amit Shah
"No elections are happening now. No elections are going to happen tomorrow. 4 and a half years are left for the next general elections. This is not a political thing. We have to address the problems of the country, how long will we not address it. Partition happened on basis of religion, and that's why the bill has been introduced. Minorities have been respected in India, but our 3 neighbours didn't. We have had many muslim leaders, Election Commissioner, President, Deputy-President, in the country," says Amit Shah.
Dec 11, 2019 18:33 (IST)
Citizenship Amendment Bill: We are here to not rule, but to solve problems: Amit Shah
"Today from 12 pm till now we have spoken on this important bill. 44 lawmakers have spoken on this, everyone has questions, suggestions etc infront of the house. Will try to answer every question. Many said the bill is unconstitutional on the basis of Article 14. Some said there was no need to introduce this. Will answer all questions. Had India not been partitioned, we would not have been here to introduce this bill, this would have never come. To address the problems, we had to introduce this as older governments didn't address the problems. Modi Government is not here to just rule. We are here to solve problems," says Amit Shah.
Dec 11, 2019 18:26 (IST)
The Citizenship Amendment Bill is for rectifying the historic wrong, says Amit Shah
"Remember, when you laugh, crores are watching you laugh at their plight. The bill is for rectifying the historic wrong," says Amit Shah tells opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
Dec 11, 2019 18:21 (IST)

Dec 11, 2019 18:18 (IST)
Citizenship Amendment Bill: "We can make laws on any subject": Law Minister
"The bill is very important for the country, India's culture. Many people spoke many big things on the topic. I want to tell the house, that all our bills are vetted by the Law ministry before it is introduced. Many learned people are here and even after experience if they ask such questions then we have to answer. Under Article 246, we can make laws on any subject. All our laws are cleared by the legal department. The opposition are questioning a law that is valid, constitutional and is in national interest. Both Houses are sovereign in law-making," says Ravi Shankar Prasad
Dec 11, 2019 18:16 (IST)
Citizenship Amendment Bill: Ghulam Nabi Azad talks about protests in the north-east
"Why are protests happening in Assam, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Guwahati? Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura are burning and you are saying the country is happy. This is how you brought Triple Talaq, GST, demonestisation, NRC, Article 370 and you, Home Minister, keep bringing all this every few months to distract people from main issues like farmer issues, unemployment, says Ghulam Nabi Azad in Rajya Sabha.
Dec 11, 2019 16:40 (IST)
"Today we hear that Hindu minorities in Bangladesh have been tortured. You have met Sheikh Hasina many times, why have you not brought it up with her," says Sanjay Singh.
Dec 11, 2019 16:31 (IST)
"You believe in the culture of breaking the country," says Sanjay Singh
"I am opposing this Bill as it is against the Constitution made by Baba Saheb Ambedkar. It is against the Preamble of the Constitution. It is against the India of the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh," says Sanjay Singh, opposing the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Dec 11, 2019 16:28 (IST)
Citizenship Amendment Bill is about illegal migrants: Naga People's Front
"I support this Bill. People in the north-east have no religious bias & aren't communal. It's not about religion, minority or majority communities. It's about illegal migrants who've come into our region & are threatening to run over our population," says KG Kenye of Naga People's Front, tweeted ANI.
Dec 11, 2019 16:08 (IST)
"Those who have no idea of India ...": Kapil Sibal on Citizenship Amendment Bill
"We know what your aim is and what you aspire - first ghar wapsi, then triple talaq, then Article 370, then NRC, then CAB, then nationwide NRC... we can see through it. You have no idea what you are doing. By this bill you create a situation where 180-200 million people will not trust you. Those who have no idea of India, cannot understand the idea of India. Don't convert the Indian Republic into a Jurassic Republic with 2 dinosaurs," says Kapil Sibal in the Rajya Sabha
Dec 11, 2019 15:57 (IST)
"Don't convert India into a Jurassic Republic with 2 dinosaurs": Kapil Sibal
"I do not understand which history book the Home Minister has read and is quoting, when he said Congress was responsible for partition. It was not the Congress which supported the two-nation theory. It was VD Savarkar who supported it. In fact Ambedkar had said, that Jinnah and Savarkar, instead of opposing each other, stand united on this issue that (pre-Independence) India was actually two nations. Therefore, I appeal to the Home Minister to withdraw the allegation made on the Congress. If this bill is passed today, then it will live up to what Jinnah stood for," says Kapil Sibal in the Rajya Sabha.
Dec 11, 2019 15:45 (IST)
PDP opposes Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha
"I stand to oppose this Bill. Since this government has come to power, the way it has brought bills like Triple Talaq & scrapped the provisions of Article 370, Muslims have been targeted. Yeh sarkaar jab se bani hai yeh musalman ke peeche padi hai," says PDP MP Mir M Fayaz in the Rajya Sabha.
Dec 11, 2019 15:35 (IST)
Sanjay Raut speaks on the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha
"We have hope on our prime minister and home minister. Will you throw out the infiltrators after the bill is passed? If we accept refugees, no politics should happen over them. Will the refugees be given voting rights?" asks Sanjay Raut in the Rajya Sabha
Dec 11, 2019 15:28 (IST)
BSP on Citizenship Amendment Bill
"Our party opposes the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Why are you violating Article 14 by excluding Muslims? Muslims being excluded is the sole problem of this entire act," said BSP's Satish Chandra Mishra in the Rajya Sabha tweeted ANI.
Dec 11, 2019 15:08 (IST)
Have to understand difference between refugees and infiltrators: Sanjay Raut
"We have to understand the difference between a refugee and infiltrator. We don't need any certificate on our nationalism or Hindutva. Jis school mein aap padhte ho, hum us school ke head master hain. Hamare school ke headmaster Balasaheb Thackeray the, Atal ji, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee bhi the, hum sabko mante hain," says Sanjay Raut in the Rajya Sabha.
Dec 11, 2019 15:06 (IST)
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill: Sena's Sanjay Raut Addresses Rajya Sabha
"Are we not citizens of this country?" Sena's Sanjay Raut asks as he addresses Rajya Sabha on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 
Dec 11, 2019 14:52 (IST)
"You think this will stop here?": P Chidambaram in Rajya Sabha
"You think this will stop here? This will go to the judges. But judges and lawyers are not elected, but they will finally take the decision. This will be a slap in the face of parliamentarians, because I am absolutely certain they will strike down this bill": P Chidambaram in Rajya Sabha
Dec 11, 2019 14:50 (IST)
"Why only religious persecution?" Congress's P Chidambaram in Rajya Sabha 
Dec 11, 2019 14:48 (IST)
"Confident that this law will be struck down," Congress's P Chidambaram tells Rajya Sabha on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
Dec 11, 2019 14:42 (IST)
Amid Protests, Personal Data Protection Bill In Lok Sabha
The government on Wednesday proposed sending the Personal Data Protection Bill to a joint select committee of both the Houses of Parliament amid protests by the opposition, which said the right of privacy of citizens is being compromised. Even before the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the government will bring a resolution in the House to refer it to a joint select committee of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

He said the proposed committee could bring out a report before the Budget session, which usually begins in the last week of January.
Dec 11, 2019 14:36 (IST)
A total of 48 speakers on Citizenship bill are scheduled to speak in Rajya Sabha. Only eight have spoken so far. 
Dec 11, 2019 14:23 (IST)
Shiv Sena To Oppose Citizenship (Amendment) Bill In Rajya Sabha: Sources
The Shiv Sena will oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, sources said on Wednesday, two days after the party voted in favour of the bill in the Lok Sabha. Sena members have informally conveyed that they have instructions to oppose the bill in the Rajya Sabha. This, after the party's Maharashtra ally Congress conveyed its displeasure over Sena's support to the bill in the Lok Sabha. Read here 
Dec 11, 2019 14:17 (IST)
"This Bill challenges the idea of India. It negates every ideal of justice": K Keshav Rao, TRS
Dec 11, 2019 13:45 (IST)
Citizenship (Amendment Bill): Here Are The Highlights Of Derek O'Brien's Speech In Rajya Sabha
  • "Please do not come to Bengal and teach us what is Indian-ness
  • "India is moving from a democracy towards becoming a dictatorship. Allow me to put the facts in front of you"
  • "In a Germany under Adolf Hitler, he spoke of German blood, in India, we have this concept of nationalism" 
  • "In Germany, there were concentration camps, in India, we are making camps where people will live like prisoners"
  • "In Germany, there were persecution of Jews, in India we will have nationwide NRC"
  • "In Germany, there was propaganda, in India the media is working in fear, pushing the government's agenda"
  • "This government works on three things - Jhooth, Jhansa aur Jumla"
Dec 11, 2019 13:31 (IST)
"We Are Moving Democracy To Dictatorship": TMC's Derek O'Brien - Watch
Dec 11, 2019 13:29 (IST)
Attacking PM Modi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, TMC's  Derek O Brien said that he failed the country made after notesban. "Media has been pressured to push propaganda. This government has only been breaking promises," he added. 
Dec 11, 2019 13:25 (IST)
"We are unable to take care of people in the country....How would we take care of those coming from another": Derek O'Brien In Rajya Sabha 
Dec 11, 2019 13:24 (IST)
"Eerie Similarity": Derek O'Brien Cites History Over Citizenship (Amendment) Bill
Addressing the parliament, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said the CAB has an "eerie similarity" with similar laws in Germany. "The lie today is "Bharat Khatre mein hai (India is in danger)"... This is the fake agenda being pushed in the country today just like it was pushed in Germany decades ago," he said. 

Dec 11, 2019 13:19 (IST)
Dec 11, 2019 13:18 (IST)
Dec 11, 2019 13:17 (IST)
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O' Brien speaks in Bengali on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill  
Dec 11, 2019 13:14 (IST)
"In democracy, we agree to disagree. But we should not disagree all the time": JP Nadda said in Rajya Sabha
Dec 11, 2019 13:13 (IST)
Amit Shah Is Architect Of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Says BJP's JP Nadda In Rajya Sabha
Congratulating Amit Shah on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Union Minister JP Nadda said today that he is the "architect" of the legislation. He also said that the bill does not hurt right of any people. 
Dec 11, 2019 13:10 (IST)
Rajya Sabha briefly stops telecast during Citizenship Bill debate as opposition members heckle Amit Shah: news agency PTI
Dec 11, 2019 13:07 (IST)
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill Doesn't Hurt Right For Equality, Not For Anyone: BJP's JP Nadda
Citizenship (Amendment) bill doesn't hurt right for equality, not for anyone, says BJP's JP Nadda in Rajya Sabha. 
Dec 11, 2019 13:05 (IST)
"In our religion, we believe in rebirth,and that we meet our elders. So if Sardar Patel meets Modi ji then he will be very angry with him, Gandhi ji will ofcourse be sad, but Patel will be indeed very angry," Congress's Anand Sharma told Rajya Sabha, news agency ANI reported. 
Dec 11, 2019 13:04 (IST)
Union Minister JP Nadda Addresses Rajya Sabha
Union Minister JP Nadda addresses Rajya Sabha on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill
Dec 11, 2019 13:01 (IST)
Rajya Sabha had briefly stopped telecasting proceedings during Citizenship Amendment Bill on direction of Chair, news agency PTI reported. 
Dec 11, 2019 12:59 (IST)
Citizenship (Amendment Bill): Here Are The Highlights Of Anand Sharma's Address In Rajya Sabha
  • "What is the basis of citizenship... we all know that. It is stated in our Constitution. Do you think our founding fathers did not give it adequate thought?"
  • "As for Naturalisation, did people, lakhs of them, not come here from both East and West Pakistan after partition? Did they not get citizenship and did they not live with dignity? Two of our former Prime Ministers came here after partition - Dr Manmohan Singh and IK Gujral" 
  • "What is the government trying to do here? Why make this process based on religion? Why keep out a certain community?"
  • "If this bill is passed in parliament today, it will be an insult to our founding fathers and our rich history. It will be remembered as a shameful incident in history."
  • "Let us set the history record clear... The two-nation theory was opposed vehemently by the Congress... It was Savarkar and the Hindu Mahasabha that passed a legislation on the two-nation theory in Ahmedabad in 1937." 
  • "Congress leaders who protested strongly were put in jail. That is when the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League came forward and suggested this solution to Her Majesty's government."
  • "Let me also set the record straight in the House once and for all. This is researched and authentic information and I am putting it on record... Mr Savarkar said, "The Hindu Mahasabha has no problem with the concept of the two-nation theory)"
Dec 11, 2019 12:55 (IST)
"Don't want a country with walls without any windows": Congress's Anand Sharma in parliament, invoking Mahatma Gandhi saying that the country needs to view the society through his lens. 
Dec 11, 2019 12:55 (IST)
"Don't want a country with walls without any windows": Congress's Anand Sharma in parliament, invoking Mahatma Gandhi saying that the country needs to view the society through his lens. 
Dec 11, 2019 12:53 (IST)
In Assam, Why Are People Out On Streets: Congress's Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha
"Assam is burning. Why are people out in streets?" Anand Sharma said in parliament today. On National Register of Citizens, the Congress leader said: "There is a sense of insecurity across the nation. Do we need Europe-like concentration camps in the country." 
Dec 11, 2019 12:49 (IST)
"This bill fails the morality test. It fails the test of constitution. No legislation can be pitted against the constitution of the country": Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha 
Dec 11, 2019 12:49 (IST)
"This bill fails the morality test. It fails the test of constitution. No legislation can be pitted against the constitution of the country": Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha 
Dec 11, 2019 12:47 (IST)
"Congress didn't bring 2 nation theory. First Hindu Mahasabha brought it under Vinayak Savarkar and then Muslim League," says party leader Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha
Dec 11, 2019 12:47 (IST)
"Congress didn't bring 2 nation theory. First Hindu Mahasabha brought it under Vinayak Savarkar and then Muslim League," says party leader Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha
Dec 11, 2019 12:47 (IST)
"Congress didn't bring 2 nation theory. First Hindu Mahasabha brought it under Vinayak Savarkar and then Muslim League," says party leader Anand Sharma in Rajya Sabha
Dec 11, 2019 12:46 (IST)
Dec 11, 2019 12:34 (IST)
CAB "Hurts The Soul Of India", Congress's Anand Sharma
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill hurts the soul of India, Congerss's Anand Sharma told Rajya Sabha this afternoon. 

"This bill has been in the news for sometime now... this bill was introduced back in 2016 as well. However, I am here to tell you Chairman sir, that both me and my party do not agree with this bill and its contents. We cannot find ourselves able to align with this bill. We feel it is unconstitutional," he said. 

"In fact, I am convinced that this bill is an assault at the very foundation of the constitution of India. It hurts the very soul of the Constitution of India. It goes against the very preamble of the constitution," he added. 
Dec 11, 2019 12:27 (IST)
"We need to give a new lease of life to those who have been facing decades of prosecution. PM Modi has brought a ray of hope for these people": Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha 
Dec 11, 2019 12:26 (IST)
"Don't politcize the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. I will address all doubts": Amit Shah In Rajya Sabha. 
Dec 11, 2019 12:23 (IST)
Our government believes in "Sabka Sath, Sabka vikas": Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha 
Dec 11, 2019 12:20 (IST)
In the 245-member Rajya Sabha, the halfway mark is currently 121 as five seats are vacant bringing down the strength of the House to 240.
Dec 11, 2019 12:20 (IST)
Opposition parties including Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Trinamool Congress, DMK are protesting against the bill, which was passed by Lok Sabha on Monday with a majority of 311 votes against 80 in the Lower House where 391 members were present and voted.

Dec 11, 2019 12:17 (IST)
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill: Amit Shah Dismisses Votebank Politics

"There are some who are trying to play politics over this bill. I urge them not to. As for the intent for such a bill, let me say it once again, that we said we would do this in our election manifesto - a manifesto that got us a complete majority. It is very clear that the people of India voted for us and our manifesto," says Home Minister Amit Shah as he addresses Rajya Sabha. 

"As for the cultural identity of the northeast, it has been addressed and this bill not applying to almost all of the northeast has already been approved. Based on this, MPs in the Lok Sabha went ahead and supported the bill too," Mr Shah added. 
Dec 11, 2019 12:16 (IST)
Amit Shah says Muslims needn't fear at all during debate on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill

Dec 11, 2019 12:10 (IST)
It is unfortunate that the minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have not been given a chance to live as equals in their country. In case of Bangladesh, for the first few years, till Bangabandhu Mujib-ur-Rehman was alive, Bangladesh gave an opportunity to minorities to live as equals, but that wasn't to be after he passed away: Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha

Dec 11, 2019 12:07 (IST)
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill Is Hope For Lakhs Of People: Amit Shah
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is hope for lakhs of persecuted people, says Home Minister Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha
Dec 11, 2019 12:04 (IST)
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill Is In Order, Says Venkaiah Naidu
"Bill is in order," says Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu amid objections against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. 
Dec 11, 2019 12:03 (IST)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduces Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Rajya Sabha 
Dec 11, 2019 11:56 (IST)
Rajya Sabha Adjourned
Amid uproar, Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned till 12 pm, news agency PTI reported 
Dec 11, 2019 11:35 (IST)
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill: List Of Speakers In Rajya Sabha
Here's the list of speakers on Citizenship Bill in Rajya Sabha
 
BJP- JP Nadda, Saroj Pandey, Roopa Ganguly, Bhupendra Yadav, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe

Derek O' Brien -TMC

CPM- TK Rangrajan

Samajwadi Party- Prof Ramgopal Yadav, Javed Ali Khan
Dec 11, 2019 11:33 (IST)
Amit Shah Arrives In Parliament
Dec 11, 2019 11:32 (IST)
Congress chief whip in Lok Sabha Kodikunnil Suresh today gave an adjournment motion notice on ''unrest and strife in the country over Citizenship Amendment Bill''.

Dec 11, 2019 11:31 (IST)
Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned till 1200 hrs following uproar by TDP, other oppn parties over delay in release of GST payments to states, news agency PTI reported.
Dec 11, 2019 11:16 (IST)
"Have To Clear Our Doubts....": Sena's Sanjay Raut On Citizenship Amendment Bill
"We have to clear our doubts on this bill, if we don't get satisfactory answers then our stand could be different from what we took in Lok Sabha": Sena's Sanjay Raut in Lok Sabha 
Dec 11, 2019 11:02 (IST)
Government is 100 per cent sure that Citizenship Bill will clear Rajya Sabha, says Union Minister Prahlad Joshi, news agency PTI reports
Dec 11, 2019 11:00 (IST)
A BJP parliamentary party meeting was held this morning at the Parliament Library Building ahead of the tabling of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in the Rajya Sabha by Home Minister Amit Shah later in the day.
Dec 11, 2019 10:56 (IST)
"Some Parties Speaking The Same Language As Pak": PM On Citizenship Bill
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing BJP MPs at parliament today, said "some parties" were speaking the same language as Pakistan on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. 

"Citizenship Bill will be written in golden letters, it will give permanent relief to people who fled religious persecution," PM Modi said at the BJP parliamentary party meeting held hours before the controversial bill was to be taken up by the Rajya Sabha.

"The very same language used by Pakistan on the citizenship bill is being used by some parties," the Prime Minister said, urging party MPs to take this message to the people. Read here 
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