Minorities worried over Indian Citizenship Act

Leaders of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Kalyan Front yesterday expressed concern over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of India.

“As the act has been formulated based on religious division, it’s a matter of concern for minorities in both countries,” the Front’s Convener Advocate Gautam Chakrabarti said at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club.

Both the governments of India and Bangladesh should take measures so that security of the Hindu community in this country is not affected, he said.

“If the act is enforced, communal harmony of this region will be destroyed and there will be division. It’s also a concern for us as Indian people -- irrespective of religion and cast -- are raising their voice against the act,” said Gautam.

Supreme Court advocate and former minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said many Indians are demonstrating against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

“Minorities face repression in both countries because of bad politics,” he said.