SHILLONG: Terming the CAB as unconstitutional, the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Meghalaya, on Monday said that it does not benefit all Indians.
“The Bill is unconstitutional. The present amendment provides Indian Citizenship to the religious persecuted communities of ‘few religions’ but not all Indians. This is a complete violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, which provides Right to Equality, the LJP said in a statement on Monday.
The LJP has expressed its concern and disappointment regarding the passing of the amendment to the CAB in Lok Sabha.
“The present amendment to the bill is useless and unnecessary in the light of the fact that there is a special agency in World called United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) specifically dealing with the people fleeing conflict or persecution. They are protected in international law and must not expel or return to the situations where their life and freedom are at risk. UNHCR has been assisting such groups since half a century,” the party said in a statement.
It also said that the UNHCR is specifically working for the persecuted community in the world, where India is a signatory in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Thus, a separate arrangement to deal with the same subject is unwanted and unnecessary.
“In the context of the state of Meghalaya, the present amendment to the CAB is a direct threat to the indigenous people and their culture as guaranteed by Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Indian Constitution,” the LJP said.
The party suggested that the CAB needs to define the word persecution and the same should not be based on religion. Definition shall be as per international standards and as per the norms of the UN.
“There shall be a clear procedure for identifying a persecuted individual/community. The same shall be done by the UNHCR by its office in the country,” it said.
Initially, the refugee status to the person/community claiming to be persecuted shall be granted as per the norms of the UNHCR and later after the clearance by the UNHCR, the citizenship may be considered, the LJP stated.
The party also demanded that the CAB must exempt the areas under the Sixth Schedule, Article 244(2) and 275(1). It deals with the administration of the tribal areas in the four Northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
