Supreme Court hears petitions on Constitutional validity of Section 6A of Citizenship Act

A Constitution Bench comprising five judges, led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, is currently hearing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

The bench also includes Justices Surya Kant, M.M. Sundresh, J.B. Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra. Section 6A, a unique provision added to the 1955 Act, was enacted as part of the 'Assam Accord' signed on August 15, 1985.

This accord, signed by the Rajiv Gandhi Government and Assam Movement leaders, aimed to preserve Assamese culture, heritage, and social identity.

The provision came after a six-year agitation by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) to identify and deport illegal immigrants, primarily from neighbouring Bangladesh. According to Section 6A, foreigners who resided in Assam before January 1, 1966, would have the same rights and obligations as Indian citizens.

However, those who entered the state between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971, would have the same rights and obligations, barring the right to vote for 10 years.

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