Supreme Court upholds Section 6A Citizenship Act, Assam Accord’s cut off date

According to Section 6A of Citizenship Act, immigrants who entered Assam between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971 are to be identified as Indian citizens. Supreme Court on Thursday, has upheld the decision to extend validity of the Bangladeshi immigrants in Assam due to complex situation during that period as Assam Accord’s cut off date, declaring it unconstitutional.

A five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has delivered the majority verdict. The Chief Justice has emphasized the current impact of the immigrants in Assam’s geography, also expressing concerns about ethnic diversity as a basis for violating Article 29(1) of the Constitution, which protects the rights of minorities.