India Expands Citizenship Rules for Persecuted Minorities

The Indian government has broadened the eligibility criteria for granting citizenship to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The Union home ministry announced that documents issued by central, state, or quasi-judicial bodies proving ancestry from these countries will be accepted. The clarification aims to ease difficulties faced by applicants under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

The Indian government has expanded the eligibility criteria for granting citizenship to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

The Union home ministry announced that any document issued by central, state, or quasi-judicial bodies in India proving that the applicant's ancestors were citizens of these countries will now be accepted.

This clarification comes after numerous applicants faced difficulties meeting the original requirements under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

(With inputs from agencies.)