Dec. 11 (UPI) -- India's parliament passed the Citizenship Amendment Bill on Wednesday amid opposition, including claims that it marginalizes Muslims.
It grants Indian citizenship status to all non-Muslim illegal immigrants from neighboring Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party calls it a bill offering sanctuary to those fleeing religious persecution. Opponents say it violates India's secular principles, discriminates against Muslim rights and strengthens the power of the BJP, noting that persecuted minorities from countries other than the three specifically mentioned in the bills text are not included.