Supreme Court Reserves Order on Constitutional Validity of Citizenship Act Section

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its order on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, a provision granting Indian citizenship to illegal immigrants residing in Assam.

A five-judge constitution bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, heard arguments from the Attorney General, Solicitor General, and senior legal representatives for four days before reserving judgment.

The petitions contend that Section 6A, introduced to address the issue of citizenship under the Assam Accord, violates fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution. The provision allows individuals who migrated from specified territories, including Bangladesh, to Assam between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971, to register for Indian citizenship under Section 18. However, it sets March 25, 1971, as the cut-off date for granting citizenship, potentially leaving many individuals residing in the state in legal limbo.

As the Supreme Court deliberates on the fate of Section 6A, the future of thousands of migrants living in Assam remains uncertain. The court’s decision will have far-reaching implications for both the state and the nation as a whole, with potential consequences for border security, national identity, and the lives of individuals caught in the crossfire of legal disputes.