The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019, that aims at granting citizenship to undocumented non-muslims is discriminatory as it targets a specific group of individuals based upon their religion and no merit at all. Discrimination on the ground of religion is a violation of the right of equality enshrined in Part III of the Constitution. Where about four million individuals were stripped of their citizenship last year, granting citizenship based solely upon religion to another group is completely arbitrary, unjust and discriminatory.
If an individual enters a country as a refugee, it is the duty of that country to protect that individual and not turn him back to oppression. If that person has faced oppression, it does not matter what religion he follows. If an undocumented person crosses border, he should be treated accordingly. However, granting citizenship to an undocumented immigrant just because of his religion or denying it for the same reason is devoid of all merit.
Using citizenship and religion as a means of getting votes in the elections is also not permitted as appealing on the ground of religion is an electoral offence. Any individual seeking asylum should be dealt with justly irrespective of his religion. An attempt to create a false distinction based upon religious practices is unjust, arbitrary and discriminatory and is against the very principles of equality that the Constitution rests upon.
If an individual enters a country as a refugee, it is the duty of that country to protect that individual and not turn him back to oppression. If that person has faced oppression, it does not matter what religion he follows. If an undocumented person crosses border, he should be treated accordingly. However, granting citizenship to an undocumented immigrant just because of his religion or denying it for the same reason is devoid of all merit.
Using citizenship and religion as a means of getting votes in the elections is also not permitted as appealing on the ground of religion is an electoral offence. Any individual seeking asylum should be dealt with justly irrespective of his religion. An attempt to create a false distinction based upon religious practices is unjust, arbitrary and discriminatory and is against the very principles of equality that the Constitution rests upon.
