Centre appears open to changes in citizenship law

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 15

With Union Home Minister Amit Shah indicating that the government is open to listen to genuine voices of concern from northeastern states over amended Citizenship Act, sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said provisions could be added to the contentious law to safeguard their concerns over their linguistic and ethnic identities.

Addressing an election rally in Jharkhand on Saturday, Shah assured the people of Assam and other states of the North-East that their culture, language, social identity and political rights would be not be affected by the Act. He also said that it was the responsibility of the government under the leadership of PM Modi to protect the people.

Shah also indicated that several politicians from the North-East, including Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma and his cabinet ministers, have requested to change certain provisions in the Act.

Sources in the MHA hinted at a possible meeting of stakeholders from the North-East over the issue after Christmas or definitely by first week of January next year, where consultation would take place to figure out a “constructive solution”.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.