Background: Assam Accord and Introduction of Section 6A
- Section 6A was added to the Citizenship Act in 1985 following the Assam Accord, signed between the government and the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU).
- The Accord was a response to Assam’s agitation against immigrants from Bangladesh, lasting six years.
- Clause 5 of the Accord set January 1, 1966, as the cut-off for identifying “foreigners” but allowed regularization for those arriving before March 24, 1971.
What Section 6A Provides?
- Those of Indian origin who entered Assam before January 1, 1966, and stayed since are deemed Indian citizens.
- People arriving between January 1, 1966, and March 24, 1971, must register under Central rules. They receive citizenship rights but cannot vote for ten years.
- Immigrants entering after March 24, 1971, are considered illegal.
