The controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday, with 311 ayes and 80 noes, after a marathon 12-hour long debate which saw strong voices of dissent emerge from the Opposition. The Bill excludes Muslims and aims to provide citizenship to refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Specifically, it outlines refugees belonging to six religions — Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians. Opposition leaders slammed the Bill, explaining that the legislation was against the basic principles of the Constitution as it discriminates on the basis of religion and would alienate Muslims, the largest minority community in the country.According to the proposed legislation, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, till December 31, 2014 and facing religious persecution there, will not be treated as illegal immigrants and will be given Indian citizenship.The matter will now be taken by the Rajya Sabha, where, if it is passed, the Bill will be made into law following the President’s assent. The Bill had also been proposed during the Modi government’s last term, but it lapsed in the Lok Sabha.Earlier today, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was tabled beore Lok Sabha by Home Minister Amit Shah.