SHILLONG: Lending their voice to the chorus of protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and All Jaintia Youth Welfare Organization (AJYWO) asserted that the proposed Bill, if passed, would have adverse ramifications for the minority communities in the state.
Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) petitioned to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) East Khasi Hills raising their opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
The organisation will physically extend their support to the sit-in demonstration organised by FKJGP Thursday.
In the letter to the DC, the organisation said the idea of granting citizenship status on the basis of religion (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christians) defeated the spirit of secular constitutional construct of India.
According to them, such a move will encourage the practice of dual citizenship because the intention of the Indian government is to indiscriminately naturalize the illegal migrants from the said countries in India.
The organisation also asserted that influx was already a burdening problem considering the porous border the state shares with Bangladesh and pointed to the possibility of more migration of people from other countries in view of the proposed Amendment to the Citizenship Act.
Meanwhile, the All Jaintia Youth Welfare Organization (AJYWO) central body asserted the proposed Bill would affect the minority communities in the state.
In a statement issued here, the organisation said it was surprising for the Central government to provide shelter to foreigners even as a large section citizens of the country were struggling to get their basic rights and needs fulfilled.
The organisation urged the state government to be vigilant and monitor to find out on illegal settlement of migrants from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan in the state.
“We oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) 2016 proposed by the Central government as it will affect the minority communities here in the state. We don’t want the state as well as other states in India, especially those in North Eastern Region to become dustbins,” president of the organisation, MH Dkhar said.