GUWAHATI: After a 12 hour debate, the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Lower House at midnight on Tuesday with 311 votes in favour of the proposed legislation.
It is to be mentioned that 80 MPs voted against the bill in the division of votes.
"There is a difference between a refugee and an infiltrator. Those who come here due to persecution, to save their religion and to save the honour of the women of their family, they are refugees and those who come here illegally are infiltrators," said Amit Shah.
While Opposition parties said the bill was unconstitutional and discriminatory towards Muslims.
PM Modi on Twitter wrote, "Delighted that the Lok Sabha has passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 after a rich and extensive debate. I thank the various MPs and parties that supported the Bill. This Bill is in line with India’s centuries old ethos of assimilation and belief in humanitarian values."
