New Delhi: The controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill which was passed in the Lok Sabha during midnight hour, after a heated debate that stretched for hours, now awaits its passage in the upper house of the Parliament.

The Bill is likely be moved in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesdsay, to cross its final hurdle before becoming a law to provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists fleeing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued whip to its Rajya Sabha MPs to be present in the House on December 10 and December 11.

Among a total of 391 members present in the Lower House, 311 voted in favour of the Bill while 80 voted against it. The bill was passed after a heated debate which stretched for seven hours.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan if they faced religious persecution there. They will be given Indian citizenship after residing in the country for five years, instead of 11 years which is the current norm.

Several amendments brought by opposition members, including one by Shiv Sena MP, were defeated either by voice vote or by a division.