Congress obstructing important legislations in parliament: Sushma Swaraj

GUWAHATI: With Congress alleging that BJP is not serious about giving citizenship/refugee status to Hindu Bengali from Bangladesh for it has not tabled a bill in the parliament, Union minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj on Sunday said congress is disrupting the parliament and not allowing important legislation to be passed.

Swaraj who was addressing a rally in Silchar in Bengali dominated Barak Valley of Assam said congress is happy to disrupt the proceedings of the Parliament voicing their opposition on many important issues.

“Many bills are lying pending to be discussed and passed in the House. The Bill on Citizenship will be tabled in the House soon. But they (Congress) must ensure support if and when the Bill is tabled in the House.”

Congress recently questioned as to why the Centre has failed to table legislation for granting refugee status or citizenship to Hindu Bengalis staying in Assam.

Earlier the Central Government has decided, on humanitarian considerations, to exempt Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals belonging to minority communities who have entered into India on or before December 31, 2014, from the relevant provisions of rules and order made under the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and the Foreigners Act, 1946, in respect of their entry and stay in India without such documents or after the expiry of those documents, as the case may be.

The Central Government has accordingly issued two notifications in the Official Gazette under the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and the Foreigners Act, 1946.

Hindu Bengali support is crucial for both congress and BJP in 2016 assembly polls. Congress has garnered Hindu Bengali votes in 2011 assembly polls however the support base is gradually shifting to BJP.

BJP national president Amit Shah had said that these Hindus had left Bangladesh due to religious persecution. “We will take care of them, provide them shelter however this burden will not be shared by Assam alone and whole country will share it.”