Pakistani Migrants in Barmer Granted Indian Citizenship for the First Time
After the CAA's implementation in Barmer, 270 Pakistani migrants applied, and 20 displaced Hindus were granted Indian citizenship in Jodhpur.
The government implemented the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The migrants who came to India before 2013 are easily getting citizenship. After the implementation of CAA in Barmer district alone, applications from 270 Pakistani migrants were received. Of these, in just 6 months, more than 170 people got Indian citizenship. Due to the ease in getting citizenship for Hindu displaced people, 20 displaced people of Barmer area were given Indian citizenship in the citizenship certificate camp in Jodhpur on Friday.
In a historic moment, several Pakistani migrants in Rajasthan’s Barmer district received Indian citizenship for the first time. On the occasion of Republic Day, these newly naturalized citizens hoisted the Indian flag and chanted slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” expressing their gratitude towards the central government for implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which eased their path to citizenship.
Dhayi Kanwar, an elderly woman who was granted Indian citizenship, told DD News that she now feels included in the Indian population. Similarly, Nimbraj Singh and Ran Singh stated that obtaining Indian citizenship has significantly improved their lives. Having waited for over ten years, they now feel immense pride in officially becoming Indian citizens just before Republic Day.
Narpat Singh Dhara, the district president of the Pak Visthapit Sangh (Pakistani Migrant Association) in Barmer, highlighted how the implementation of CAA has facilitated the process of obtaining Indian citizenship. He extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their efforts in easing the citizenship process.
The citizenship was granted under the CAA, which provides citizenship to persecuted minorities from Pakistan who migrated to India before 2014. The process has been simplified with fewer formalities and an online application system.
However, several families still face challenges. While some members have received Indian citizenship, others continue to struggle. In some cases, parents are Indian citizens, but their children have yet to obtain legal recognition. Similarly, Indian citizens who married in Pakistan and brought their spouses to India are still waiting for their partners and children to be granted citizenship.
