3,117 from minority communities in Pak, Afghanistan & Bangladesh granted citizenship: Govt

New Delhi: A total of 8,244 non-Muslims from Pakistan and Afghanistan had applied for Indian citizenship in the last four years and of them, 3,117 were granted citizenship, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said on Wednesday.

The minister said in Rajya Sabha that all foreign nationals are governed by 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.

”The number of citizenship 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,” he said in a written reply.

Rai said the number of Indian citizenship granted to people belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Christian minorities groups from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan during the years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 is 3,117.