Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) issued a statement where it urged the Centre on Saturday to include Muslims in the new citizenship law by bringing an amendment to it. They should not do any exclusion of religion.
Replying to questions posed by reporters here, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “We strongly feel that the Muslim community should be included in it (amended Citizenship Act).”
“I am speaking on behalf of my party and the party is very clear that the Government of India should include them (Muslims) and should come out with an amendment because that what the people feel and is the mood of the nation,”
He said about inclusivity and How people belonging to all religions should reside in our country, and this is our strength that we can stay together as a team. Why should you exclude (them)?… I personally feel that the Government of India should be more inclusive and include them. There should be no exclusion on a religious basis.
When asked whether his party would meet the Centre on this issue? Badal said he had already requested the government in Parliament to take the matter again in Lok Sabha. He reiterated that provisions should be added in the bill to include Muslims as well.
From the time the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill received presidential assent and became an Act, there have been violent protests in several parts of the country opposing it. Asked whether his party was in support of the National Register of Citizens.
SAD chief said the following “I cannot say anything at this moment because what is NRC nobody knows. Let the details come. But anybody who stayed in this country you cannot throw him out. I am very clear, you cannot say this community has to go, this religion has to go,”
Badal also said in the Parliament that Sikhs, in general, stood for inclusivity and Sikh Gurus sacrificed their lives for people of other faiths. And that his religion teaches him ‘Sarbat da bhala’ (welfare of all). We humbly request them to include them (Muslims in new citizenship law),” he said.
