185 Pakistani-origin residents were granted Indian citizenship marking a milestone under Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (Image Source: Hindustan Times)
A group of 185 Pakistani nationals, displaced from their homeland, are now rejoicing after finally receiving Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019. The special ceremony was held on July 25, 2025, at Atmiya University in Rajkot, where Minister of State for Home Affairs Harsh Sanghvi handed over the certificates. These new citizens, who had settled in Kutch, Morbi, and Rajkot, described the moment as the beginning of a new life in India.
Speaking at the occasion, Sanghvi expressed warmth and encouragement to the new citizens: “Keep smiling... from now on, you are citizens of the great country of India.” The crowd responded with resounding chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”
Acknowledging the trials they had borne, he shared moving stories: “Listening to the suffering of these displaced people can bring tears to anyone’s eyes… Some lost their husbands; others fled burning homes. They endured, and I salute their resilience.” He invoked India’s inclusive ethos, saying, “India is a land where every religion is respected… If the world truly wants to witness human rights in action, they must look at India.”
Among the beneficiaries, Bhavanaben Maheshwari, now settled in Rajkot, shared, “I faced a lot of hardships there. But today, after years of struggle, I proudly call myself an Indian.” Meanwhile, Champa Khambhala from Morbi expressed relief and optimism: “Life in India is far better than in Pakistan, where Hindus can’t even celebrate festivals freely.”
A few participants also voiced concerns for family members still stranded in Pakistan. One attendee appealed, “I hope they too get the chance to unite with us in India someday,” reflecting the hopeful longing that marked the ceremony.
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Sanghvi assured the newly naturalized citizens of the government's ongoing support, including access to welfare schemes, healthcare, and education benefits, along with integration assistance to help them rebuild their lives. “You may have left relatives behind in Pakistan, but here, we are all with you we are your family now. Your children will have equal opportunities to progress in India,” he said, drawing loud applause from the audience. He emphasized that the government’s focus was not only on granting legal recognition but also on ensuring social acceptance and a dignified future for every family.
This event marked a significant milestone in the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which aims to provide fast-track citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim refugees Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. The law has already enabled thousands of applicants across India to secure citizenship, including through a digital application process launched earlier this year. While the Act continues to attract both praise and criticism seen by some as a humanitarian measure and by others as a contentious political step it remains central to India’s refugee policy. Officials said more such ceremonies are likely to be organized in Gujarat and other states in the coming months to speed up the process.
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