The controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, which seeks to provide citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, will be tabled in Rajya Sabha today amid protests in the Northeast. The bill will be moved by Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the Upper House. The bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha on January 8 and if cleared in Rajya Sabha, it will become a law. The bill seeks to grant nationality to Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians and Jains from the neighbouring countries, but not Muslims. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will grant nationality to Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians and Jains but not Muslims who fled from the three neighbouring countries from religious persecution and entered India before December 31, 2014.

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This has led to widespread protests in Assam and the other northeastern states who have raised strong objections about discriminating against immigrants and said that no infiltrator, irrespective of their religion, should be given citizenship rights. The protesters say the bill, which seeks to allow citizenship to illegal Hindu migrants from Bangladesh who came to the state after March 1971, is a violation of the Assam Accord, 1985.

PM Modi said on February 9 while addressing a rally in Assam's Guwahati said the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will not harm the interests of the people of Assam and the other northeastern states "It is a national commitment to the people of the Northeast that they will not be harmed in any way and citizenship will be only granted after due investigations and recommendations of the state governments,"

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While during the parliament session Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said there have been "misplaced apprehensions" about the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill."There are reports of some protests due to certain misplaced apprehensions about the Bill," Rijiju said during a Lok Sabha session on Tuesday.

KMSS chief Akhil Gogoi said the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 is against the constitution of India and it will change the demographic of India. Gogoi said "This bill is against secularism and constitution of India. It will change demographic of Northeast,". Gogoi said talks have been held with Opposition parties including Congress, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Janata Dal (United), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to ensure vote against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 that is to be tabled in Rajya Sabha. he said "We have spoken to Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Janata Dal (United), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress. They have all assured their support except who are confused,"