Citizenship granted to 3,117 from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh: MoS

New Delhi, December 22

Minister of State (MoS) for Home Nityanand Rai today informed the Rajya Sabha that a total of 8,244 non-Muslims from Pakistan and Afghanistan had applied for Indian citizenship in the last four years and among them, 3,117 were accorded the status. The minister also informed the House that the laws governing foreign nationals include the provisions contained in the Foreigners Act, 1946, the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Rai said, “The number of applications received from Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Christian minorities groups from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan during the year 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 is 8,244.” The minister said the number of Indian citizenship granted to people belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan during 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 is 3,117. — TNS