MHA Invites Applications For Citizenship From Non-Muslim Refugees From Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh

Mumbai: The Ministry of Home Affairs in its latest order has invited applications for Indian Citizenship from Non-Muslim refugees from countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan living in 13 districts.

However, a notification was issued by the Union Home Ministry, wherein the immediate implementation of the order under the Citizenship Act 1955 and Rules framed under the law in 2009.

“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 below…,” the notification said.

It further added, “The application for registration as a citizen of India or grant of certificate of naturalisation as a citizen of India under the said rules (Citizenship Rules, 2009) shall be made by the applicant online.”

“This order shall come into force on the date of its publication in the official gazette and shall remain valid until further orders,” the notification said.

Meanwhile, the fresh order is in no way connected to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) enacted in 2019 as the Rules under the contentious act are yet to be framed by the Centre.

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