Thread by @saikirankannan

🔴🔴🔴Long Thread 🔴🔴🔴

Topic: The #NRC v #CAB Debate

Given the umpteen opinions and point of views surrounding NRC and CAB, I wanted to write a simple and neutral point of view on these 2 bills, covering pros & cons of the same.

#CABBill #NRC #RajyaSabha #LokSabha #AmitShah

Before I start. If any of you notice glaring errors or misjudgement in my thread, I'm more than happy to hear you. But let's keep the thread / replies civil.

#CABBill #NRC #RajyaSabha #LokSabha #AmitShah

Firstly, let's see what each bill stands for.

NRC - Now only limited to Assam focuses on deciding the citizenship of those living in #Assam by judging their residentship/presence (or that of their ancestors) before March 24, 1971.

#CABBill #NRC #RajyaSabha #LokSabha #AmitShah

To prove the ancestorship, the descendants have to submit to the registering authority another specific piece of document proving his or her blood relationship with a person whose name did appear in NRC, 1951 or in any of the said Electoral Rolls.  

#CABBill #NRC

This is basically to undo the migration that happened during the 1971 war.

Well, its not entirely one way. We will see why in forthcoming threads.

#CABBill #NRC #RajyaSabha #LokSabha #AmitShah

CAB - this bill is all about offering citizenship to people living in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

The key is it is ONLY for people belonging to the below faiths.

Hindus, Christians, Parsis, Sikhs, Jains & Buddhists.

#CABBill #NRC #RajyaSabha #LokSabha #AmitShah

But of course, the Muslims from these nations can choose to apply outside of this platform like in the past.

This is basically to offer a chance for the persecuted minorities of these 3 countries.

#CABBill #NRC #RajyaSabha #LokSabha #AmitShah

So now that we have seen the differences between #NRC & #CAB, let us know see how they are intertwined in nature and how they will impact the near future of this nation.

Let's start from Assam.

The majority of the ethnic Assamese hate the CAB.

Given that they are already dwindling in numbers, they feel an influx of say... Hindus from Bangladesh in large numbers will make them more smaller as a community and change the flavour of Assam as a state.

They want their rights to be kept in tact.

Given that the incoming new citizens will have voting rights... Its important to acknowledge these concerns..

To assuage the concerns the government is looking at adding certain amendments that will be similar to Article 35A.

#CABBill #NRC

There are words doing the rounds that there is a possibility that the new incoming citizens may not have the right to buy property and may also not have residential status, reserved resources etc in North East, especially Assam.

#CABBill #NRC

The #NRC is an issue for both Muslims and Non-Muslims. The list thus far has not discriminated by religion.
But the CAB makes this tricky. Coz, the #CABBill gives the same Non-Muslims the ticket to escape NRC !

Correct me if wrong.

Perhaps i can create a Venn diagram to best portray this situation.

Furthermore, we also hear that this NRC can be extended to other states of India.

This again may pose a problem for Muslims in other states.

We need to ascertain what documents may be required to escape this!

So while the #CABBill is not necessarily something against #Article14 , the combo of #CABBill and #NRC may pose a serious question.

Again, the NRC may or may not be extended to other states. We need to wait.

But the #CABBill alone ain't against #article14

Coz, the #article14 is for Indians..Not foreigners.

So when the #CABBill is facilitating Indian citizenship for foreigners negating muslims, it ain't a direct violation.

But ...Of course. the thought of #NRC_CAB combo is bad.

Not to forget.

#Article14 also recognises "Reasonable Classification".

Hence, the government will try to prove their point using this line of argument.

Now, what states are not affected by #CABBill ?

Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh(Inner line permit status), Meghalaya(except Shillong), Assam(few parts excluded), Manipur(on hold for now...pending alternate arrangements).

As per the Constitution, the #CABBill is also said to not violate the #Article371 in the North eastern states.

The government looks to be very cognizant of the sentiments prevalent in the North East. We will have to wait and see.

Now let us see why the #CABBill was structured the way it is.

The government's argument is that the persecuted minorities in AF, Pak & Ban have no where else to go.

Fair enough. People like Rohingyas of course have other countries to seek asylum in.

There are a lot of terror related issues to deal with when you talk about the Rohingyas. But no guarantee that those from other minorities will add value to India!!

But yeah... The prime argument is that India is the only nation for Hindus.

A narrative similar to Israel's !

But what's the plan for these new citizens !?

India is already full to the brim... What are the opportunities for these new citizens ?

Unless there is a sound plan... This can all get too clumsy !

#CABBill #NRC

I also hear that those who apply for #CABBill need to show some kind of a proof for the persecution experienced by them in their host country. Interested to know what kind of proof will suffice !?

Also, for the #NRC, we have seen infinite issues around ID documentation...

The government needs to be highly sensitive about omitting people from its national registry.

It is alright to accommodate illegal immigrants as long as legal citizens aren't expelled...!!!

This is life and death.

Also, who is going to take in the expelled people ???

Also, there was a lot of talk about the list excluding Srilankan minorities.

What I felt could have been a reason was that in Lanka... You have persecution based on linguistics... Not necessarily religion.

Hence, given the stress on Hindu minorities, this was not considered!?

I will add a few more tweets to this thread, after publishing this initial set of tweets owing to a "max cap of tweets per thread at one time".

#CABBill #NRC

Thanks for reading.

Continue reading.

Opinions welcome.

Most countries decide citizenship based on birth or naturalisation.

But the #NRC takes into account March 24th, 1971 as a cut off and the #CABBill takes December 31st, 2014 as the cut off along with other parameters.

The #Article14 of the Constitution of India provides for equality before the law or equal protection within the territory of India.The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protection of law within the territory of India.

Given the above statement, the government must ideally not differentiate.

But like I said, the Article also recognises "Reasonable classification".

Now, how will the government justify this in the court of law ?

This is key.

The rough Venn diagram i had in mind was something like this.

Again, correct me if wrong.

If those Non - Muslims in Assam affected by NRC are from Bangladesh, Afghanistan or Pakistan (if they can prove), then the #CABBill can save them from #NRC ?

Reiterating a point i made above.

The government needs to be highly sensitive about omitting people from its national registry.

It is alright to accommodate illegal immigrants as long as legal citizens aren't expelled...!!!

#CABBill #NRC

It is highly imperative to have long hours of discussions spanning across days to take into account all aspects involved in this act.

We can never undo this decision once implemented.

I hold national security as the highest priority... But Indian citizens are equally important!

Looking at the Pros.

Well, it is a fact that the persecuted Hindus across the world only have India as a nation they can reach out to in times of extreme distress & persecution.

India has in the past given space to refugees from Pakistan & Bangladesh both legally & illegally.

The illegal immigration, believe me is a HUGE problem.

The issues relating to our porous borders with Bangladesh especially is a sure cause for huge concerns.

The biggest challenge is that these immigrants blend in very easily until you speak with them !
#CABBill #NRC

The locals of different states get marginalised owing to the influx of migrants.

But again... To stop this the government introduced #NRC ... But again...#CABBill gets in new migrants !

Kinda like a contradiction.

Terrorism is a huge concern... Especially after the #Rohingya crisis.

Multiple reports have indicated that they are very easily brainwashed into jihad by terror recruiters.

Planned Violence against Buddhists is shown as a carrot for them to join the terror outfits.
#CABBill

The biggest fear is that illegal immigrants can very easily blend in with the Indian population... Until & unless you manage to strike a conversation!

Given the wide range of cases when it comes to fake Aadhaar cards (another mess) there is no other scientific way to do this...

In places like Westbengal, there has been a huge influx of illegal immigrants colonising parts of it.

This has resulted in creation of a separate vote bank and marginalising of the local communities.

Not to forget the increased escalations in terms of violent riots.
#CABBill

To sum it up.

There are fair arguments to do this and not do this.

To even just say that the ramifications of this exercise will be huge... Will be an understatement!!!!

It can strengthen India. Or Break India.

#CABBill

Indians need to be ONE.

UNDIVIDED.

If the government can manage to not break, but strengthen the idea of India...That would suffice.

Hope India remains One. A strong one.

Jai Hind.

End of thread.

🔴🔴🔴
#CABBill