Controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill Raises Concerns Over National Sovereignty, Demographic Shift, and Alleged Indian Interference in Parliament
In a move that has ignited intense debates and sparked widespread criticism, President Ramchandra Paudel authenticated the bill to amend the Citizenship Act, fueling the ongoing controversy over the legislation. President’s Legal Adviser, Baburam Kunwar, confirmed the authentication, citing its compliance with specific articles of the Constitution of Nepal and the Supreme Court’s principles.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Office, the authentication was carried out in response to a letter from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, requesting the President’s endorsement of the amendment bill. The government’s request came after former President Bidya Devi Bhandari repeatedly refused to endorse the bill, which had been returned to the House of Representatives for review with her 15-point concerns and suggestions on August 14 of the previous year.
Despite Bhandari’s suggestions, both Houses of the Federal Parliament endorsed the bill without considering her input. However, when the bill was sent to the President’s Office for authentication for the second time, Bhandari allowed the 15-day deadline to pass without taking any action. Bhandari retired on March 9 without authenticating the bill.
Critics argue that the President’s authentication of the Citizenship Amendment Bill not only disregards the concerns raised by Bhandari but also raises serious concerns about national sovereignty, as well as the potential for a significant demographic shift. They also allege that the bill’s passage may have been influenced by external forces, specifically pointing to alleged interference by India in Nepal’s parliamentary affairs.
The bill’s enactment has paved the way for granting citizenship to approximately 400,000 people who have long been deprived of their constitutional rights and remain stateless within their own country. However, opponents maintain that the potential consequences of this move on Nepal’s cultural traditions, political representation, and resource distribution warrant a comprehensive reevaluation of the bill’s implications.
As the contentious debate continues, the authentication of the Citizenship Amendment Bill by President Paudel has added fuel to the controversy surrounding the legislation. The impact of this bill on Nepal’s society, politics, and relations with neighboring countries remains a subject of immense importance and scrutiny.
