Bengaluru: The Shiva Sena joined hands with the Congress and NCP in Maharashtra to form a government, keeping the BJP out.
But at the centre, the Shiva Sena has stumped the Congress as it has voted in favour of the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB).
As the CAB was passed in the Lok Sabha late Monday night, as many as 18 Shiva Sena MPs voted in favour of the CAB.
Shiv Sena MP Vinayak said that Bal Thackeray, the founder of the Shiva Sena always wanted illegal migrants to be thrown out and give preference to the sons of the soil.
However, he added that the burden of accepting refugees must be calculated.
Another Shiva Sena leader Arvind Sawant added that they voted in favour of the bill keeping in mind the interests of the nation.
The CAB intends to grant citizenship to non-Muslims who are persecuted in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
However, there has been stiff opposition from parties like Congress and Trinamool Congress saying it violates article 14 of the Indian Constitution.
But Union home minister Amit Shah, in his tweet said,”It is well known that those minorities who chose to make Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan their home had to constantly live in the fear of extinction. This amended legislation by Modi govt will allow India to extend them dignity and an opportunity to rebuild their lives.”
Meanwhile Sri Sri Ravishankar, head of the Art of Living foundation has urged the centre to given citizenship to Tamil refugees who have been living in Sri Lanka for the last 35 years.
Back to the issue of Shiva Sena supporting the CAB, it definitely looks like the regional party has learnt its lessons. Had not the Shiva Sena supported the BJP on such issues, which give importance to the national character, it would have remained isolated.