Says bill goes against the tenets of secularism
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 15 (MExN): The Indigenous Naga (TIN), a conglomerate of 16 tribes, today issued a statement asking the Nagaland State Government to clear its stance on the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
A press note from the TIN media cell said that while the Lok Sabha MP from Nagaland “voted for the bill to be passed in the parliament and the state cabinet ministers appealed for review for the interest of its citizens,” the Chief Minister expressed solidarity with the people on the issue.
“Are they trying to confuse the people who voted them to power? The present day government should come out clear on its stance and explain to its people,” the TIN said.
The TIN pointed out that the Constitution of India guarantees freedom of religion, and that different communities in the country are protected to live with dignity and honour.
“A modern state and country can be defined when every single citizen’s rights are respected politically, socially, economically and in terms of religion,” it said. The TIN said that Nagaland with its majority Christian population has existed peacefully with different communities, cultures and religions for decades.
It however stated that the Citizenship Amendment Bill is “biased in nature reflecting upon a particular religion, which is contradictory to human rights.” The TIN further stated that even granting asylum should not be done on the basis of religion.
While asserting that the organization would not accept the bill, the TIN made clear that it is not opposed to visitors coming to the state, provided they “come through proper channel with valid documents enshrined in the BFR 1873.”
India being a secular state, the TIN stated that granting citizenship to people on the basis of a particular religion is “demoralizing the fundamental rights of its citizenry.”
“Nagaland has been crippled with various unsolvable problems by its leaders, the present government not being able to stand by its people shows how demoralized they are,” it added.
