Twelve hours in debate, three years of buildup and one shredded document - the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), 2019, was passed in the Lok Sabha at midnight, as the world celebrates Human Rights Day on December 10. Needless to say, the new law almost instantly sent the country into an uproar across social media.

Shortly after leaving the Parliament, BJP stalwarts Amit Shah and Narendra Modi congratulated each other on achieving the long-standing party goal.

Thank you honourable PM @narendramodi ji. You are an inspiration and under your leadership we all strive harder each day to build a #NewIndia for our future generations. https://t.co/TZlR3QuUEL

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 9, 2019

Several party supporters joined in to support the duo - who have been on a hot streak of sweeping legislative movements through their 2019 terms.

Triple Talaq - Done
Article 370 and 35A - Done
Ram Mandir - Done
CAB - Done in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha next
NRC - Next

then UCC Coming

All the mistakes done by one family in India is being corrected by @narendramodi Ji & @AmitShah ji

.... but Hindus worried about ONIONS

— Saffron Soul 2.0 ð®ð³ ð© (@SaffronS0ul) December 9, 2019

Hats off to #MotaBhai speaking since hours and giving his job more than 100%, at this age. I mean what a heroð #CABBill

— kajal vador (@kajalvador) December 9, 2019

Meanwhile, opposition supporters vehemently argued against the act - both in Parliament and after the session was concluded. While the BJP argues that the CAB aims to support religiously persecuted minorities in neighbouring countries, the list - which mentions Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis and Christians - clearly excludes Muslims. 

With India having the world's largest Muslim population (over 20 crore), several people shared anger and resentment against the bill's passing.

BJP: "Don't complain about lynching of Muslims in India. Go to Pakistan and see how Shias, Ahmedis and Balochs are being killed."

Also BJP: "How can Muslims be persecuted in a Muslim nation? It's implausible. Citizenship only for non-Muslims."

ð¤ð#IndiaRejectsCAB

— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) December 6, 2019

Deeply ashamed that Edapadi Palanisamy represents my state and our people. Supporting the #CAB shows his true colours, his lack of integrity and his desperate need to remain powerful at any cost. You will all be held accountable. Enjoy your temp power till then. #IndiaRejectsCAB

— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 9, 2019

All of this has occurred against the backdrop of massive protests erupting in states such as Assam, where indigenous populations fear that the bill - along with looming NRC revisions - will result in their language and culture being eclipsed.

#BREAKING Students from

Gauhati University Cotton University
JB law college
GU staff
Gu law college
Silpi Samaj
Assam Engineering College

takes out a huge rally in protest against the #CitizenshipAmendmentBill2019 in Jalukbari, Assam#IndiaRejectsCAB#IndiaAgainstCAB pic.twitter.com/ZXNwLqLQHP

— Siddharth Setia (@ethicalsid) December 9, 2019

The Indian state of #Assam shuts down today to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (#CAB) amid tight security in Guwahati. #IndiaRejectsCAB pic.twitter.com/WovdCheo8z

— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) December 10, 2019

Others simply argued that the government is drawing away attention from more immediate matters.

Biggest problems faced by Indians today :
unemployment, air pollution & water scarcity, state of public education and health, women's safety, rising income inequality, sinking economy, state of farmers, state of banks, corruption

BJP's priority : CAB, NRC#IndiaRejectsCAB

— Official PeeingHuman (@thepeeinghuman) December 9, 2019

While Indian economy is moving with 0% rate and the actual GDP is below 2.5%, the government wants to introduce NRC that would swallow of billions of dollars with no significant results. The state of Assam is a perfect example. #IndiaRejectsNRC#CABAgainstConstitution

— Dr Yasir Nadeem (@Mufti_Yasir) December 5, 2019

Either way you look at it, the bill has split clear lines between its supporters and detractors. 

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