Supreme Court
New Delhi: The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will pronounce its verdict on the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act at 10.30 am today. According to Section-6, Bangladeshi immigrants who came to Assam between 1 January 1966 to 25 March 1971 can register themselves as Indian citizens. However, foreigners coming to Assam after March 25, 1971 are not eligible for Indian citizenship.
This argument has been given in the petitions
The petitions filed in the Supreme Court said that the demographic balance of the state is deteriorating due to the arrival of illegal refugees from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) since 1966. The political and cultural rights of the original inhabitants of the state are being violated. The government has given legal sanction to illegal infiltration by adding 6A to the Citizenship Act.
Court’s focus and government’s stance
The Constitution Bench clarified that its investigation will focus solely on the validity of Section 6A and not on the Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC). The court had sought details about the government’s efforts to detect and deport illegal immigration and undocumented persons from Bangladesh.
In government affidavits, officials acknowledged the complexities involved in detecting, detaining and deporting illegal aliens. He also cited West Bengal’s policies in erecting fencing along the India-Bangladesh border as a hindrance to effective border control.
Provisions of Section 6A
Under Section 6A, full citizenship rights are granted to persons who entered Assam before January 1, 1966, while those who came between 1966 and 1971 enjoy the same rights. The petitioners have raised concerns as to why Assam alone has been made subject to this provision.
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