Celebrations in N-E as bill is set to lapse

GUWAHATI: Crackers were burst and sweets were distributed on the streets of Guwahati and other parts of the north-east soon after the Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die [with no appointed date for resumption] without passing the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016.

The legislation, which sought to grant citizenship to religious minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, had been passed by the Lok Sabha last month. Now, the bill is now likely to lapse, as according to the Rajya Sabha Legislative Procedure, “a Bill which is passed by Lok Sabha and is pending in Rajya Sabha lapses on the dissolution of Lok Sabha”. The term of the present Lok Sabha ends on June 3. The Citizenship Bill has triggered widespread protests in the northeast amid concern that it could dilute the indigenous identity by accelerating demographic changes.

In Assam, nearly 100 organisations and groups belonging to indigenous communities have been protesting against the bill . The BJP’s main ally, the Asom Gana Parishad had withdrawn support to the coalition last month over the legislation. “It is a historic day and a victory for democracy. Due to the protests, the government didn’t dare to table the legislation,” said All Assam Students’ Union general secretary, Lurinjyoti Gogoi.