• UGI USER
  • Dec 06, 2023
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SUPREME COURT QUERIES CITIZENSHIP ACT SECTION 6A IMPLEMENTATION

Why in the News?

  • The Supreme Court has sought information from the Government regarding the number of individuals who acquired citizenship under Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955

  • This provision, introduced following the Assam Accord, allowed certain individuals to apply for Indian citizenship.
  • Section 6A of the Citizenship Act granted foreigners who entered Assam before January 1, 1966, with “ordinary resident” status the rights of Indian citizens.
  • Those entering between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971, received similar rights, excluding the right to vote for a 10-year period.
 Source: Slide Share

Challenging Section 6A’s Validity:

  • Petitioners argue that Section 6A, while based on historical humanitarian grounds (India’s role in the creation of Bangladesh), could compromise core principles of democracy, federalism, and the rule of law.
  • Petitioners argued that the safeguard offered by Section 6A does not cover individuals who migrated after the mentioned atrocities.

 

The court is now awaiting details from the government to further examine the matter.