Wishesh Magazine November_2018 Wishesh Magazine November 2018 | Page 55

2014 and 2016 on the issue, but it has
been inserted in Citizenship Rules this
time,” a home ministry spokesperson
said in response to an ET query.
However, there is no mention of the
three countries in the amended rules.
What makes the declaration of religion
for citizenship is important as the
Citizenship Amendment Bill is pending
for passage in Parliament. The bill
makes ‘refugees’ belonging to minority
religions in Pakistan, Bangladesh,
and Afghanistan eligible for Indian
citizenship. The draft legislation is
being observed by a joint parliamentary
committee and has drawn opposition
amongst numerous groups in most
northeast states, apart from criticism for
linking citizenship to religion.
The Citizenship Act, 1955, does not have
any mention of religion. The Act has
citizenship by birth, descent, registration,
and naturalization. The Act is based on
the principle of ‘birth within the territory’
and there is not a single mention of
religion.
Citizenship Rules of 2009 as well does
not have a single requirement of providing
religion.
NOVEMBER 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET