SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY opposing the Motion for introduction of the

Bill, said: I do not have any qualm to opine that this is a regressive legislation. It is
nothing but a targeted legislation against the minority people of the country. This
amendment is on a very important subject of the country. The meaning of the
Constitution is - Justice, Equality, Liberty and Fraternity. The government is
undermining the Article 14. The concept of citizenship cannot be read in isolation
but has to be read extensively with the Articles enunciated in our Constitution
itself. The amendment goes against the essence of Articles 5, 10, 14 and 15 of the
Constitution of India. It will harm integrity and unity of our country.

SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN: The first point is that this is the first time in
the legislative history of India that in order to acquire the citizenship, one of the
main factors is the religion. Clauses 2 and 6 violate the right to equality
guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution as it provides differential
treatment to the illegal migrants on the basis of religion. Article 14 is the heart
and soul of the Fundamental rights. The second point is that the Clauses in the Bill
violate Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution as the right to religion is applicable
to all the persons including non-citizens. The third point is that the Bill violates the
basic structure and features of the Constitution envisaged in the Preamble of the
Constitution. The Statement of Objects and Reasons is not clear. If it goes to the
court of law, definitely the court will strike it down. Therefore, this House has no
legislative competence to discuss this Bill. Hence, I oppose its introduction.

PROF. SOUGATA RAY: I rise to oppose the introduction of this Bill. Opposing a Bill
is per se suo moto. It does not need any reference to legislative competence.
Article 14 says that the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law.
Now, 'any person' includes 'any community'. If any community is left out of
purview of law then it is violative of the Article 14.

DR. SHASHI THAROOR: I am opposing this Bill because it is an assault on the

foundational values of our Republic. Should religion be the determinant of our
nationhood? The fact is, those who said religion should determinate the
nationhood, they formed Pakistan. That was the idea of Pakistan. Mahatma
Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Ambedkar, Maulana Azad, they all said, religion
cannot determine the nationhood. Our nation is land for everybody. That is why
this is violative of the fundamental structure of the Constitution of India. We do
not have the competence to discuss this Bill.
SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: I will speak only on some points. Secularism is the part
of the basic structure of this country. This Bill violates the fundamental right. Our
country has the concept of single citizenship. We have granted permission to the
Chakmas to reside in Arunachal Pradesh.

SHRI MANISH TEWARI initiating said: I rise to speak against the Citizenship
Amendment Bill, 2019. This Bill is unconstitutional and is against the ideals of
Baba Saheb Ambedkar. It violates Article 14,15,21, 25 and 26 of our Constitution.
Article 14 ensures equality of every citizen before Indian Law. The basic question
is that when you cannot discriminate on the basis of citizenship, can you
discriminate while giving citizenship. The Bill completely fails on the four norms of
enacting any law that it should be equitable, just, fair and non discriminatory. This
Bill violates the Preamble, fundamental rights and the basic structure of our
Constitution. It is also against the Indian tradition of giving refuge to the people
on humanitarian ground. We are not against giving shelter to refugees but we
want that a holistic refugee bill should be brought-one that should go beyond
religious considerations. I strongly oppose this Bill.

SHRI ABHISHEK BANERJEE: This Bill is immoral, unethical and

unconstitutional. Swami Vivekananda ji would have been shocked had he been
here with us to witness this Bill and debate which fundamentally opposed to to his
idea of India, which is dividing India on the narrow lines of caste, creed, religion,
race and community. Mahatma Gandhiji said, "Our ability to reach unity in
diversity will be the beauty and test of our civilization. We all have an idea of India
in our mind. But your idea of India is different and our idea of India is different.
Our India is inclusive. Your idea of India is divisive. Now, let me read Article 14
of the Constitution: " The State shall not deny to any person equality before the
law of the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India." It is clear
that the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 very clearly violates the constitution
of India. NRC was a trap and CAB which has been introduced today and
considered for passing is even a bigger trap. I have already documented a list of
people who lost their lives because of the ordeal of NRC and the panic that was
caused because of NRC. The proposed Act rips apart the soul of Bengal. The
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 is anti-Indian and anti-Bengali also. We did not
discriminate on the bases of caste, creed, religion, or race. You do not understand
the sentiments of ten crore Bengalis.

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE: I stand here to oppose this bill. I

would like to ask the Government whether this Bill has been brought because NRC
has failed. I would also like to put on record that JPC had objected to this Bill.
Though it was passed, a lot of parties had shown their dissent. My other
concern is that what will be done for all such citizens who are not following any
religion. This Government has not included Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur and
Assam in this Bill because Inner Line Permit arrangement is going on there. Why
are we leaving them out when we talk about one nation, one tax and one rule for
everything. What was the urgency of this Bill when these States could not be
included. I would even highlight that why India is leaving Nepal, Sri Lanka and
Myanmar and selectively allowing people from certain countries. It is completely
unfair leaving anybody out. The Bill does not stand on the ground of equality. I
request the Government to withdraw this Bill

SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: I would like to state to the hon’ble Home

Minister that this Bill should be looked at from NRC point of view. Whether cases
would be lodged against all the Bengali Hindus under section 6 (A), they would get
abated but cases would be lodged against muslims only. Is it not discrimination?
Religion supersedes Article 14. The Government is formulating this law for the 40
thousand Hindus of Assam. They are conspiring to make muslims stateless.
One third part of India is in China, the Minister of Home Affairs himself stated that
he will not leave Aksai Chin but today it has been left. When Taliban will rule
Afghanistan then, can you please explain as to how many persons you are going to
award citizenship. I would like to know the statewise numbers in this regard. The
law being formulated here is spreading a message due to which political
mobilization of muslims is taking place. Government is suppressing them and
making them stateless. Therefore, I would like to say that another partition is going
to take place. Why the government is not including 10 lakh Lankan Tamilians of
Tamil Nadu and Nepali Hindus and Myanmar in this.
I oppose this Bill. This is against the spirit of the Constitution, adding insult to the
people who fought for the freedom of this country.