India is set to implement a controversial citizenship bill that excludes Muslims


India has announced rules that will allow implementation of a controversial citizenship bill that excludes Muslims.


India's home ministry announced the rules on Monday, ahead of India's general election in the spring, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a rare third term in power.


The Citizenship (Amendment) Act provides a fast track to citizenship for immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan - provided they are not Muslim. The controversial law will apply to religious minorities persecuted on religious grounds, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians.


The bill, passed by the Parliament of India in 2019, could not come into force until the rules were notified.


Despite being hailed by Modi, a Hindu nationalist, the bill was widely protested by opposition parties, which claimed it was unconstitutional and marginalized India's 200 million Muslim population.


Indian Home Minister Amit Shah praised Modi on Monday evening, saying he had "made another promise and realized the commitment of our constitution makers to the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians living in those countries". Read more ......