India Tomorrow
New Delhi, April 18— Days before the Lok Sabha polls in Kerala and Goa where Christians account for 18% and 25% respectively, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday expanded its list of religious minorities from India’s neighbouring countries whom it wants to give Indian citizenship if it came to power.
In its election manifesto released last week just ahead of the 1st Phase of Lok Sabha Elections, the saffron party had said that “Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs escaping persecution from India’s neighbouring countries will be given citizenship in India” after enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Bill. There was no mention of Christians among these communities.
However, the party on Thursday extended its citizenship promise to Christians also.
“हम पड़ोसी देशों के प्रताड़ित धार्मिक अल्पसंख्यकों के संरक्षण के लिए सिटीजनशिप अमेंडमेंट बिल को लागू करने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध हैं। भारत के पड़ोसी देशों से आए सभी हिंदू, जैन, बौद्ध, सिख और ईसाई को उन देशों में धार्मिक प्रताड़ना के आधार पर भारत में नागरिकता दी जाएगी।#EveryVoteForModi,” tweeted the party from its official handle around 7 PM on Thursday.
The Christian community has significant vote share in Kerala and Goa. While Kerala has 20 Lok Sabha seats, Goa has two seats. Polling will be held there on April 23 in the 3rd Phase.
For the last couple of months, there has been massive outrage in the Northeast states over BJP’s Citizenship Bill.
