"Sanctions had been tried after the atomic explosion during Vajpayee's regime. They did not deter India and had to be withdrawn," added the VHP, a prominent saffron offshoot of the RSS, BJP's ideological mentor.
In fact, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has gone ahead to express its happiness at the passing of the contentious Bill in the Lok Sabha, with the outfit's Working President Alok Kumar congratulating Home Minister Amit Shah for "successfully piloting" the Bill.
Kumar, in a statement said, "The people of India stand resolute and determined to ensure citizenship to the persecuted refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan." He added, the VHP hopes the Bill will receive a "massive support" in the Rajya Sabha, as well where the ruling party is short of numbers.
"This is in accordance with the traditional Bhartiya value of accepting and supporting all who seek refuge in her lap," said the VHP.
It stressed that those persecuted on the basis of their religion in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are forced to come to India to "save their life and honour, particularly of their women". The saffron outfit has also differentiated refugees and infiltrators, to make its case.
Taking a dig at the proposed sanctions on Shah from a US body, the VHP added, "millions of people living in sub-human conditions are ensured a dignified life as citizens of India with a better standard of living - unmindful of any threatened sanctions."
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 seeks to provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christ, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists fleeing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The Bill excluding Muslims has made the opposition brand it "unconstitutional".
( With inputs from IANS )