In August, the Centre introduced the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, in the Lok Sabha. The Bill amends the Citizenship Act, 1955, to make illegal migrants who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, eligible for citizenship. The Bill, however, has no provision for Muslim sects like Shias and Ahmediyas who face persecution in Sunni-dominated Pakistan. The Bill was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for examination and presenting a report to the Parliament. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill also fails on the tenets of international refugee law.

Source: Hindustan Times October 17, 2016 08:03 UTC