New Delhi [India], March 28 (ANI): Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, expressing disappointment that there was no satisfactory response from the Home Minister regarding concerns raised by opposition parties.

The Congress MP further said that the Bill, which aims to strengthen internal security and streamline immigration laws, contained several flaws. He stated that it impinged on civil liberties and lacked balance, stressing that it would have been better if the bill had been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further scrutiny.

'Unfortunately, there was no satisfactory answer from the Home Minister. The bill has many infirmities; it impinges upon civil liberties, and there is a lack of equilibrium in the bill. It would have been much better if it had been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee,' Tewari said.

On Thursday, during the debate on the bill in the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised that the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, was necessary to strengthen the nation's internal security.

Shah also reiterated the government's position on immigration, stating that India is not a 'Dharamshala' and that those who pose a threat to national security will not be allowed to enter the country.

'Those who pose a threat to the national security will not be allowed to enter the nation. The nation is not a 'Dharamshala'(rest house)...If someone comes to the nation to give its contribution to the development of the nation, they are always welcome,' he said.

The bill, which was later passed in the House, focuses on improving the country's immigration framework and eliminating the overlap of existing laws. Shah further said that whether it is Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, if they come to India to create unrest, strict action will be taken against them.

'In the last ten years, India has become the fifth-largest economy. India has emerged as a bright spot among the world's largest economies. India has become a hub of manufacturing and it is natural for people from all over the world to come to India... The number of people taking refuge in India for personal gain and making the country unsafe has also increased... Be it Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, if they come to India to create unrest, strict action will be taken against them,' he said.

'Immigration is not a separate issue. Many issues of the country are linked to it... From the point of view of national security, it is very important to know who enters the nation's border... We will also keep a close watch on those who will endanger the security of the country,' Shah added.

Amit Shah referred to the Citizenship Amendment Act, stating that people from six oppressed communities in neighboring countries had taken refuge in India under the law. Shah also stated that India's approach to immigration is rooted in its historical traditions and values.

'India is a geo-cultural nation, not a geo-political nation... Persians came to India and are safe in the country today. The world's smallest minority community is safe only in India. Jews fled from Israel and stayed in India,' he said.

'Immigration is not an isolated issue. For the security of India, we must know who is entering our country, for how long, and for what reasons. These concepts are not new; such rights have been mentioned in various laws, and we have now integrated them. With the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, we will establish a detailed and structured system to track every foreigner entering the country. This will help us develop the nation and monitor those coming for business. It will also allow us to keep a sharp eye on individuals who may pose a threat to our security,' he added.

Furthermore, the Union Home Minister stated that this bill has been introduced to replace four existing laws. All the shortcomings in these laws have been addressed, and the overlaps have been removed. He emphasized that in today's world, international cooperation is essential to strengthen India's economy, education, healthcare system, research, and legal framework, and we must also contribute to global progress. The Home Minister further explained that this bill has been designed with these objectives in mind, but foremost, it has been introduced with the security of the country as the top priority. (ANI)