Religious minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan will be benefited

A Joint Parliamentary Committee in India today invited public opinion on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act Bill 2016 that aims at helping Hindus, Sikhs and other religious minorities of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who acquire Indian citizenship even without required documents.

The invitation also asked them to appear before the panel to give their suggestions, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The BJP-led government on July 18 introduced the bill in Parliament to amend the Citizenship Act so that the religious minorities of these nations could be granted Indian citizenship even if they do not provide required documents.

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It has been decided to seek the views and suggestions on the Bill from individuals and associations/bodies concerned, an official statement said.

The Bill has been uploaded on Lok Sabha Website.

All those who want to submit their views/suggestions to the Joint Parliamentary Committee have been asked for two copies of their written memoranda/suggestions either in English or Hindi on the subject to Additional Director, Lok Sabha Secretariat by September 30, 2016.

Those who wish to appear before the committee, besides submitting memoranda, are also requested to specifically indicate so, said the statement adding, however, the Committee’s decision in this regard shall be final.