In a significant development, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued the first set of citizenship certificates under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). This move comes as the government aims to provide eligible migrants with a streamlined pathway to Indian citizenship.
Home Minister Amit Shah, in an interview with ANI, announced that on the same day, 300 individuals in Delhi were being granted citizenship under the CAA. He emphasised that the CAA is a law of the country and plays a vital role in ensuring the rights of persecuted minorities.
In a special ceremony held in New Delhi, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla personally handed over citizenship certificates to the first 14 individuals. These certificates were issued after their applications were processed online through a dedicated portal, as confirmed by an official spokesperson.
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During the ceremony, the Home Secretary extended his congratulations to the applicants and highlighted the key features of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, which played a crucial role in granting them citizenship.
The Citizenship Amendment Rules, 2024, were notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs on March 11, enabling the implementation of the CAA that was passed by Parliament in 2019. These rules provide an opportunity for migrants from six minority communities in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh to seek Indian citizenship, with retrospective effect.
According to the regulations, migrants who entered India by December 31, 2014, and faced “religious persecution or fear of religious persecution” in their country of origin are eligible for citizenship under the CAA. These individuals will be granted fast-track Indian citizenship within a period of six years.
Furthermore, the CAA amendment has reduced the residence requirement for naturalisation from eleven years to five for these migrants, making the process more accessible and efficient.
This issuance of citizenship certificates to the first 14 individuals under the CAA signifies a significant step forward in ensuring a just and inclusive society for persecuted minorities. The government remains committed to upholding the rights and welfare of those seeking refuge and a better future in India.
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