Assam Citizenship Act :Sc directs centre to submit data on number of citizenships granted to immigrants

Guwahati:The Union government and other respondents began arguments in favour of the validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. Attorney General R. Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Indira Jaising argued on the parliament’s powers to make laws relating to citizenship, the historical background of immigration in Assam, and the preservation of culture under Article 29.

During the proceedings, the Constitution Bench pronounced an Order directing the Ministry of Home Affairs to submit data about the number of citizenships granted, the number of foreigners detected in Assam, and the overall number of immigrants who entered India. Mehta, appearing for the Union and government of Assam, admitted that the petitioner’s concerns, over the burden on resources, job opportunities, and demographic changes due to an influx of immigrants in Assam, were true.