Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi presented citizenship certificates to 35 Hindus under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the legislation in the state. The recipients, all residents of Nabarangpur district, were granted Indian citizenship during a special ceremony held at the Krushi Bhawan auditorium in Bhubaneswar. The event was jointly organized by the Directorate of Census Operations, Odisha, and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
Addressing the gathering on December 11, Chief Minister Majhi described the CAA as a “purifying and pain-relieving sacred Ganga” for minorities who have faced religious persecution in neighboring countries. He emphasized that the Act serves as a beacon of hope and assurance for those who have endured hardship and discrimination for years.
According to the rules notified by the Union Home Ministry on March 11, 2024, individuals from minority communities in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, are eligible to apply for Indian citizenship. The 35 individuals who received their certificates on Thursday fall within this category of eligible applicants.
Welcoming the new citizens, the Chief Minister stated, “You are now part of our collective future. Your safety, dignity, and progress are not just our responsibility—they are our duty. I welcome you as citizens of India.”
He further noted that the conferring of citizenship certificates reflects India’s “eternal civilizational values of compassion, humanity, and refuge,” which have been revived through the implementation of the CAA.
ନୂତନ ଭାବେ ନାଗରିକତା ପାଇଥିବା ଭାଇଭଉଣୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ମୁଁ ଆନ୍ତରିକ ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ ଜଣାଉଛି। ଆପଣମାନେ ଏବେ ଆମ ଭାରତୀୟ ପରିବାରର ଏକ ଅବିଚ୍ଛେଦ୍ୟ ଅଙ୍ଗ। ଆଜିଠାରୁ ଆପଣମାନେ ସମସ୍ତ ନାଗରିକ ଅଧିକାର ଓ ସୁବିଧା ପାଇବା ପାଇଁ ଯୋଗ୍ୟ ଅଟନ୍ତି। ମୁଁ ଆଶା କରୁଛି ଯେ ଆପଣମାନେ ଆପଣଙ୍କର କର୍ମନିଷ୍ଠା, ଶ୍ରମଶକ୍ତି ଓ ସାଂସ୍କୃତିକ କୁଶଳତା ଦ୍ୱାରା ଓଡ଼ିଶା… pic.twitter.com/vPf0bky8iN
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) December 11, 2025
Majhi hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the “Bhagirath” behind the creation of this historic legislation, crediting him for steering a transformative process that addresses longstanding humanitarian concerns. He also praised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his pivotal role in operationalizing the Act and ensuring that persecuted minorities receive timely relief.
Discussing the necessity of the CAA, Majhi pointed out that while individuals of any religion facing persecution globally may have multiple countries offering refuge, persecuted Hindus lack such options.
“If Hindus are persecuted in any other country, there is no place besides India that can offer them refuge. So if such a law is not enacted in India, where else will it be enacted?” he asked.
The Chief Minister remarked that while India has traditionally been vocal in safeguarding minority rights, many remain silent about the persecution of minorities in neighboring countries. He emphasized that the mindset is changing and that the practice of selectively encouraging only one religion in the name of secularism has declined. “Today, there is no religious discrimination in the country; all are equal in the eyes of the law. The successful implementation of the CAA is evidence of this principle,” he stated.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who also addressed the program, noted that persecuted minorities in Bangladesh and Pakistan are originally people of Indian heritage, and many of their forefathers may have been freedom fighters.
He explained that the CAA was conceptualized by Prime Minister Modi after observing the severe atrocities inflicted on these minority groups. Assuring the newly granted citizens from Nabarangpur district, Pujari said, “You have now received citizenship certificates. You will henceforth be entitled to all facilities available to any Indian citizen. Land will be provided to those who are landless, and caste certificates will be issued wherever needed.”
Law and Works Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that living as refugees on one’s own ancestral land decades after the country’s independence is deeply distressing. He noted that Thursday’s granting of citizenship brings long-awaited relief and restores dignity to those affected. He also urged the administration to intensify awareness efforts so that eligible individuals can understand and avail themselves of the benefits of the Act.
Among the recipients was Bapin Mirdha, who migrated from Bangladesh in 1998. Expressing gratitude, he said the citizenship certificate gives him and others like him a renewed identity as rightful residents of their motherland. “This fulfills a dream we have carried for many years. Today, receiving Indian citizenship fills us with immense pride,” he remarked.
The program began with a welcome address by Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, Director of Census Operations, Odisha, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Joint Director Hemant Kumar Singh.
