Faridabad
Six individuals, including a Pakistani woman and five Afghans, were granted Indian citizenship in Haryana’s Faridabad. On Wednesday, DC Vikram Singh administered the oath of allegiance to the Indian Constitution, officially making them Indian citizens.
The individuals include Ruwil Devi, Neelam, Sadhana Devi, Rajesh Kumar, and Joginder Singh from Afghanistan, and Kamla Devi from Pakistan. Congratulating the new citizens, DC Singh said it is a matter of pride and honor to be a citizen of the world’s largest democracy, India.
Kamla’s Journey from Pakistan to India
Kamla Devi, who came to India in 2010 with her brother Rakesh and sister Vimla, finally received Indian citizenship after a long wait. While her siblings were granted citizenship earlier, paperwork issues delayed Kamla’s application until November 2023. On receiving citizenship, Kamla expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Indian government.
She explained that applying for citizenship six months ago brought her closer to this milestone. Her parents, Radha Bai and Om Prakash, joined her in India six years after her arrival. Sadly, her father passed away in August 2023. Currently, Kamla resides in Jawahar Colony with her mother and works alongside her siblings to support the household. Owning her home in India, Kamla now looks forward to accessing all the rights and privileges of an Indian citizen.
Joginder Singh’s 12-Year Wait for Citizenship
Joginder Singh, 63, from Afghanistan, came to India in 2011. His wife, Pola, had already moved to India in 1992 and received Indian citizenship. Joginder shared how the persecution of Hindus in Afghanistan forced his family to migrate. While waiting for his citizenship, Joginder witnessed significant hardships faced by Hindus in Afghanistan, prompting his decision to bring his family to India.
Joginder’s parents passed away in Afghanistan, and he shared that the remaining Hindu population there continues to live in dire conditions. Receiving Indian citizenship has brought him immense relief and a sense of belonging.
Granting Citizenship in Other States
Under the Citizenship Act of 1955, district magistrates and home secretaries in more than 30 districts across nine states have been authorized to grant Indian citizenship. These states include:
- Gujarat
- Rajasthan
- Madhya Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh
- Haryana
- Punjab
- Uttar Pradesh
- Delhi
- Maharashtra
