The Supreme Court has upheld the Constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act related to the grant of Indian citizenship to illegal immigrants in Assam by a majority verdict of 4:1.
A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said the Assam Accord was a political solution to the problem of illegal migration. Justices Surya Kant, M M Sundresh and Manoj Misra in their majority verdict held that Parliament had the legislative competence to enact the provision.
Justice Pardiwala gave a dissenting judgment to hold Section 6A as unconstitutional.
Congress deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, tweeted on X I respect the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court to back the Assam Accord. The Assam Accord was historic accord which brought peace to the state after years of political agitation. During that period the Prime Minister of India late Rajiv Gandhi would engage with the student leaders despite political differences. Today the scenario is different. BJP calls protestors anti-nationals and Khalistanis. Or like Manipur PM Modi pretends as if the state doesn’t exist.
I respect the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court to back the Assam Accord. The Assam Accord was historic accord which brought peace to the state after years of political agitation. During that period the Prime Minister of India late Rajiv Gandhi would engage with the student…
— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) October 17, 2024
Reacting to SC ruling, Former Law minister senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad quoted by ANI said, “Today the SC has delivered a very historic verdict on the constitutional validity of Section 6(A) of the Citizenship Act. This provision was added to the Indian Citizenship Act in the wake of the Assam Accords… The core of this provision is that those who entered Assam till 1966, will be treated as citizens of India and those who came between 1966 and 1971 shall be subject to compliance with the rules required. All those who have come after 1971, will surely be treated as illegal immigrants. This provision was brought when Rajiv Gandhi was the PM…
“On Supreme Court verdict of validity of Section 6A of Citizenship Act, Assam Minister and President of Asom Gana Parishad, Atul Bora quoted by ANI said, “…The Supreme Court order has again proved acceptability and relevance of Assam Accord.”
