Supreme Court Upholds Citizenship Act in Assam

The Supreme Court of India has upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, declaring all Bangladeshi migrants who entered Assam after March 25, 1971, as illegal. The ruling, delivered by a five-judge bench with a majority opinion, highlights the significant cultural and demographic impact of such migration on Assam. Justice J.B. Pardiwala dissented, arguing that Section 6A incentivizes undocumented migrants to remain indefinitely due to the lack of a temporal limit for detection. The court emphasized that Section 6A serves as a political solution to the historical issue of illegal immigration in Assam, established by the Assam Accord of 1985. The ruling has reignited debates regarding citizenship rights and the implications for those identified as illegal immigrants, particularly in light of existing electoral rolls. The decision is expected to expedite the identification and deportation process of illegal migrants in the state.