New Delhi: The asylum seekers originating from Pakistan and currently domiciled in Delhi expressed profound gratitude to the central administration and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday for conferring Indian citizenship upon them via the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
On May 15, the central authority dispensed the inaugural batch of citizenship certificates, more than two months subsequent to the formalization of the CAA regulations. “We journeyed to Delhi from Pakistan on October 5, 2013. When the CAA legislation was ratified, we were elated. Thereafter, we endeavored to secure citizenship to embark on our vocations. We submitted our application a month prior, and we received citizenship on May 15. Our future now gleams with promise. We are indebted to the government of India,” narrated Sheetal Das, a Pakistani refugee residing in Delhi’s Majnu Ka Tila, who acquired citizenship through CAA, to ANI.
Another Pakistani refugee, Yashodha, residing in Majnu ka Tila, voiced that they would now be regarded as Indian citizens, shedding the “Pakistani” label. “We arrived here in 2013 and endured significant hardships concerning water and electricity. Now, with citizenship, the future of our children appears radiant. Our struggle for citizenship was arduous. We are jubilant and grateful to PM Modi. Our offspring will now receive an education akin to other children and have a brighter future. Previously labeled as Pakistanis, we will now be embraced as Indians,” Yashodha conveyed to ANI.
Amrita, who also attained citizenship through CAA, expressed her ambition to become a doctor. “When we arrived in 2013, there were neither schools nor electricity. Presently, we have both. My aspiration is to become a doctor,” Amrita stated. Another Pakistani refugee residing in Majnu ka Tila described the citizenship grant as an immense favor, extending gratitude to the central government for “accepting them.”
“We applied for citizenship 3-4 years ago. After 8-9 years of residing here, the announcement of citizenship filled us with joy. We even named my granddaughter ‘Nagrikta’. Both my children are now citizens. Our gratitude to the people of this country is boundless. This benevolence will remain etched in our memories forever. We revere this citizenship as we do our children, elders, and deities. We feel honored. Our gratitude extends to everyone involved in this decision,” expressed Meera.
Bhavna, residing in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar and one of the citizenship recipients, shared her happiness upon receiving the certificate. “Securing citizenship fills me with immense joy, allowing me to further my education. I came here in 2014, and the passage of the CAA was a moment of great happiness. In Pakistan, educational opportunities for girls were severely restricted, and venturing out necessitated wearing burqas. In India, I can pursue my studies, currently being in 11th grade and attending tuitions,” Bhavna stated.
“Many of our relatives still in Pakistan aspire to come to India but are hindered by visa issues. We are overjoyed to be in our own country. PM Narendra Modi has assisted us tremendously. We extend our thanks to PM Modi and Amit Shah. My dream is to become a teacher and educate the women in our area,” she added.
“Upon our arrival here a decade ago, we lacked citizenship. Now, with citizenship, we are elated. Previously, our children’s school admissions faced obstacles. With proper education, our future appears bright,” shared another Pakistani refugee who gained citizenship through CAA.
On March 11 of this year, the Union Home Ministry promulgated the CAA rules, just days before the Lok Sabha election schedule was announced. Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla distributed citizenship certificates to some applicants in New Delhi on May 15. The certificates were physically awarded to 14 applicants seeking citizenship, and digitally signed certificates were issued to numerous other applicants via email.
The regulations outline the application form procedure, the processing of applications by the District Level Committee (DLC), and the scrutiny and granting of citizenship by the State Level Empowered Committee (EC), as per an official communiqué. Pursuant to these rules, applications have been received from individuals belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi, and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution or the fear thereof.
The District Level Committees (DLCs), chaired by Senior Superintendents of Post, have administered the oath of allegiance to the applicants following successful document verification. Subsequently, the DLCs have forwarded the applications to the State Level Empowered Committee, headed by the Director (Census operations). The entire application processing is conducted through the online portal.