Applications sought for citizenship from non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan

The Union Home Ministry issued a notification to this effect for immediate implementation of the order under the Citizenship Act 1955 and the rules made under the law in 2009.

New Delhi : The Center on Friday sought applications for Indian citizenship from non-Muslims such as Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan and living in 13 districts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Punjab.

Government issued notification
The Union Home Ministry issued a notification to this effect for immediate implementation of the order under the Citizenship Act 1955 and the rules made under the law in 2009. However, the government has not yet formulated the rules under the revised Citizenship Act (CAA) implemented in 2019.

There were vigorous protests in the country

When the CAA came into force in 2019, there were widespread protests in various parts of the country and there were riots in Delhi in the early 2020s between these protests. According to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan will be granted citizenship to non-Muslims who are victims of repression, who had come to India by 31 December 2014.

Non-Muslims will get citizenship
In the notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs, it said, ‘The central government has taken this step under section five of the law, using the powers found under section 16 of the Citizenship Act 1955. Under this, instructions have been given to register Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian people of minority communities of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan living in the above mentioned states and districts as Indian citizens.