‘CAB will worsen economic crisis’

A day after the Rajya Sabha passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), 2019, activists in the city addressed the media saying that the bill ignores India’s historical

A day after the Rajya Sabha passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), 2019, activists in the city addressed the media saying that the bill ignores India’s historical role as a country which provides refuge to people those seeking asylum.

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Teesta Setalvad, a civil rights activist, said CAB and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) being implemented at the same time would further worsen the economic crisis.

“The citizens of our country are already dealing with precariousness stemming from an unprecedented economic downturn and the weakening of labour protections. CAB creates additional apprehensions in terms of capacities such as time, money, and attention,” said Setalvad.

Mihir Desai, an advocate, spoke about the plight of Shias, Ahmadiyas, Bahai in Pakistan and Bangladesh, Tamils in Sri Lanka, and Rohingyas in Myanmar, saying that though they have been repeatedly facing persecution in these countries, the bill doesn’t mention of these minorities. “The government’s apparent disinterest in ensuring humane living conditions for these groups leads to a risk that they will be denied refuge. They would be rendered stateless, which is in violation of global human rights norms,” said Desai.