Delhi: Assam Congress members protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act

Members of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee on Friday staged a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

During the protest, the Assam Congress members raised slogans against the Central leadership.

Speaking to ANI, one of the protestors said: "The Citizenship (Amendment) Act is a curse for our state. The entire northeast region has been protesting for the past few days, and yet PM Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah have implemented the Act."

She further said that the agitation will continue till the Act is withdrawn.

Another protestor stated that the Act is against the principles of the Constitution, and its sole motive is to "play the game of mixing politics with religion".

"The Act should be removed, and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam should be prioritised," he said.

The CAB has now become the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, following assent from President Ram Nath Kovind.

According to the Act, members of the Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zoroastrian communities who have come from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh till December 31, 2014, and facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but will be given Indian citizenship.

Rajya Sabha cleared the legislation on Wednesday after the Lok Sabha had passed the Bill on Monday.

The passage of CAB has trigged intense protests in the Northeastern states. Curfew was imposed in some areas.