Answer:

♤ India has always provided refuge to displaced communities, such as that during the Bangladesh war in 1971. Refugees and problem of immigrants is becoming a global pressing concern, be it the Rohingya Muslims in south east Asia or people escaping war torn Syria and the Middle eastern countries.

♤ The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016 proposes to make minority communities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible for applying for Indian citizenship. Under the provision for citizenship by naturalization, the bill relaxes the minimum stay requirement from 11 years to 6 years.

♤ Merits:

o The new amendments especially with respect to the changes made toward naturalization will benefit communities such as Chakmas and Hajongs of Bangladesh

o The provisions favour the implementation of the 1985 Assam Accord, which stipulates 1971 as the cutoff date for detection and deportation of foreigners.

o It will also ensure India gives more impetus to its policy on refugees which recognizes and protects the rights of refugees;

♤ Demerits:

o However, citizenship provisions should not be granted on the basis of religion as it inhibits the secular principles with which our Constitution was established.

o It must be noted that the provisions must be extended to Ahmadiyas in Pakistan and Rohingyas from Myanmar, the Malaiha Tamils etc and other persecuted minorities so as to make the provisions more holistic and in concurrence with provisions under Article 14 and 21

o Also, Assam may face the additional burden of Bengali Hindus while it is already overpopulated and affected by illegal migration from Bangaldesh.

♤ To conclude, the provisions if implemented well will boost India’s reputation of extending a helping hand toward international peace and security by adhering to Article 51 of the DPSP and providing refuge to migrants from neighboring countries. However, a proper policy should be in place so as to avoid security, law and order issues as has been seen in the light of unwarranted cases of EU migrants and refugees especially in context of Paris attacks last year.