The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday released archive footage of Rajya Sabha proceedings in 2003, where former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is heard making an appeal for the Citizenship Act.
The BJP posted the video on its official Twitter handle and wrote: "In 2003, speaking in Rajya Sabha, Dr Manmohan Singh, then Leader of Opposition, asked for a liberal approach to granting citizenship to minorities, who are facing persecution, in neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan. Citizenship Amendment Act does just that..."
Singh is heard talking about the persecution of minorities in neighbouring countries like Bangladesh. "After the partition of our country, the minorities in countries like Bangladesh, have faced persecution, and it is our moral obligation that if circumstances force people, these unfortunate people, to seek refuge in our country, our approach to granting citizenship to these unfortunate persons should be more liberal."
Then Singh draws attention then Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, and says: "I sincerely hope that the honourable Deputy Prime Minister will bear this in mind in charting out the future course of action with regard to the Citizenship Act."
When the Deputy Chairman responds by telling Advani that "minorities in Pakistan are also suffering", he replies: "Madam, I fully endorse that view."
The Parliament recently passed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 that grants members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, following religious persecution there will get Indian citizenship.
The opposition and the protesters argue that the legislation is "unconstitutional and divisive" as it excludes Muslims.
(With IANS Inputs)
