NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday called for the passage of the Citizenship Bill in the Rajya Sabha this session, claiming that it had been cleared by the Lok Sabha.
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in July 2016. Rajendra Agarwal, who is heading the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) that is examining the proposed legislation, said that the Committee had not finalised its report yet.
Responding to a query in the Rajya Sabha on the status of Pakistani nationals who had taken refuge in India to escape atrocities, Ms. Swaraj said though the subject came under the Union Home Ministry, she wanted to reply as it was the collective responsibility.
She said the government had not only introduced the Citizenship Bill but also got it passed in the Lok Sabha. Stating that the Bill was pending in the Rajya Sabha, she urged the House to pass it during this session itself to resolve the issue.
In her written reply, Ms. Swaraj said there were reports of violence and harassment against the minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, which included killings, persecution, intimidation, abduction, forced conversions, desecrations and vandalisation of places of worship and attacks on business establishments.
“These incidents are a matter of concern to the government. Concerns in the matter are regularly conveyed to the respective countries at bilateral level. The government of Bangladesh has made it clear that it considers attacks against the members of the minority community a serious matter and takes stern action against the perpetrators,” said the reply.
The Afghanistan has also assured India of all possible steps to protect its citizens, including the religious minorities.
The issue of the continued poor condition and mistreatment of minority communities in Pakistan has also been highlighted by India at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The minister, in response to another query, said contrary to the perception, population of the Hindus in Bangladesh had increased by more than 2% in 2017 compared to the 2011 figures.