GUWAHATI, India — Celebrations have erupted in northeast India after a contentious nationality law put forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government failed to pass. The proposed changes to the 1955 Citizenship Act would have given Indian nationality to Hindus and other minorities emigrating from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Local media reported that celebrations broke out in some half a dozen northeastern states after it became clear the bill would not be passed. “It is a historic victory for the people of northeast (India). They say it will be the first time religion has been a criteria for nationality in India, which is officially secular.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer February 14, 2019 12:33 UTC