Centre Invites Applications for Indian Citizenship

Eligibility: Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian and Pari refugees in 5 States from Afghanistan, Pakistan and B'desh

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Centre has invited Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists belonging to Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan and residing in 13 districts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and Punjab to apply for Indian citizenship.

The Union Home Ministry issued a notification in this effect on May 28, 2021, for immediate implementation of the order under the Citizenship Act, 1955 and Rules framed under the law in 2009.

According to State Home Department sources, the order has nothing to do with the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 even though a section of media here has connected the two. The connection of the order with the CAA doesn't arise as its Rules are yet to be framed by the government.

The order of the Union Home Ministry has made no mention of Assam. The order mentioned only five States – Gujarat, Chattishgarh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab.

"In exercise of powers conferred under Section 16 of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955), the Central Government hereby directs that powers exercisable by it for registration as a citizen of India under Section 5, or for grant of certificate of naturalization under section 6 of the Citizenship Act 1955 in respect of any person belonging to the minority community in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan namely, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, residing in the districts mentioned and the states mentioned above....," the notification said.

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