E-Paper | October 02, 2026

India mulls granting citizenship to Pakistani Hindu migrants

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The Indian government is considering a proposal aimed to simplify the procedures for granting Indian citizenship to minority Hindus from Pakistan, the Times of India reported on Sunday.

The proposal also envisages allowing “minority communities of Pakistan staying in India on a Long Term Visa” to buy property, open bank accounts and obtain permanent account number (PAN) and Aadhaar number, an Indian home ministry official was quoted as saying.

A member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani had earlier revealed in the National Assembly that around 5,000 Hindus migrate from Pakistan to India every year.

New Delhi had last year announced that Bangladeshis and Pakistanis belonging to minority communities there, who had entered India legally before December 31, 2014, could stay in the country, even if their documents had lapsed.

Also read: Pakistani Hindus seek safety in India

The refugees from Pakistan mostly land up in Rajasthan as the short journey from Thar Express makes it convenient for them, but lately many of them are heading for a rural settlement called Bijwasan on the outskirts of Delhi.

According to the proposal, the collectors or district magistrates of 18 districts will be empowered for two years' period to grant citizenship to such people at heavily reduced fees.

The districts are Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Kutch and Patan (Gujarat), Bhopal and Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Nagpur, Mumbai, Pune and Thane (Maharashtra), West Delhi and South Delhi (National Capital Territory), Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh).

Having reviewed "the hardships being faced by the minority communities in Pakistan staying in India on Long Term Visa", the Indian government also plans to allow such people to open bank accounts and obtain PAN and Aadhaar number, the official said.

Know more: 4,300 Hindus, Sikhs from Pakistan, Afghanistan get Indian citizenship

"These are only at proposal stage," the official said adding that the Indian government has sought public comments and suggestions on the measures proposed.

The exact number of minority refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan living in India is not known. Rough official estimates suggest there could be about 2 million such people, mostly Hindus and Sikhs.

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ASB
Apr 17, 2016 07:25pm
What a pity. Jinnah's vision of a multi-cultural society must be nurtured. Pakistan must treat its minorities as equal citizens and create opportunities for their contribution.
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@Difusal
Apr 17, 2016 07:32pm
Good decision gov of India.
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The End is Near
Apr 17, 2016 07:34pm
Good news for hindus minority living in Pakistan. But religious discrimination in India is a very serious issue. India must pay attention to this problem as well.
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Harish Jurel
Apr 17, 2016 07:39pm
Good decision by Indian Government
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bingo
Apr 17, 2016 07:42pm
No No No. As a Hindu Indian, I firmly oppose granting citizenship/asylum to anyone based on their religion. This is going to open pandora's box. If we are going to let Pakistani Hindus come in because they are persecuted in their own country, then what about Rohingyas? On what basis are we going to deny them the same treatment?
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Shah
Apr 17, 2016 07:51pm
Hindus in Pakistan are Pakistani. This is their country. They should live in Pakistan without any fear. There should be a very strict law against religious discrimination with quick and sewer PUNISHMENT (Like what we have in Canada). Dear Hindu community do not leave for India, you will be disappointed and miserable there in India, don't you see hundreds of millions of Hindus living in misery in India. Things for other than Muslim Pakistanis are changing in the country and media is keeping an eye on it.
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NIRAJ CHAWHAN
Apr 17, 2016 07:56pm
Happy to welcome our brothers, whatever their religion is, we are ready to accept them.
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d.rajendran
Apr 17, 2016 08:05pm
It is late but good decision.
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Ali Z
Apr 17, 2016 08:13pm
What a suggestion!
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SKi
Apr 17, 2016 08:30pm
Great step by Modi Govt. we welcome our brothers...
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Safe from cannibals
Apr 17, 2016 08:51pm
good decision by Govt
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Abdul
Apr 17, 2016 08:59pm
We welcome our friends. Lot of work and efforts to be put by our government and migrants to join mainstream agenda of development through education. Good move by India.
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Jay Ramon
Apr 17, 2016 09:05pm
I heard of some sikhs from Afghanisatan who had a lot of difficulty getting landed status in India. India is not signatory to international refugee laws because it was much poorer country in the last few decades. Its only in the last 20 years or so we can claim to be in the developing catergory. I think India should sign UN charter and accept any refugees inclding from Syria. What ever we can manage to do. I know there are Roghingyas who came to India 10 years back and are making a living. Rohingyas, Hindus, Ahmadis or any community needing refugee should be helped. That is when India can truely claim a regional prominent status. Not by just mouthing slogans. Peace
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Harmony-1©
Apr 17, 2016 09:38pm
"When they reach India, they are viewed suspiciously by many people and are treated callously by the Indian government that has done little to help them settle in." No respite to their plight then!
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Muhammad Ismails
Apr 17, 2016 09:40pm
First of all Indian government should take step to settle down the minority problem in India because Gugrat's attacks on Muslim minority is a speaking truth that how much worse situation is for minorities in India.I have met well educated Hindu community people and they shared satisfactory remarks with me about their whole life in Pakistan even they were in student life or are now in professional life. It is My advice for my Hindu brothers and sisters, do not be greedy for Indian govt's lollipop because it will make them fourth class hindu, mean Pakistani Hindu, in addition to Dalits, Achoot and Shodir etc. I think that just minority is better than fourth class minority.
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vijay
Apr 17, 2016 09:45pm
welcome home
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Rohit Singh
Apr 17, 2016 09:46pm
They have been living in ind as refugee for a long tym without any rights..in the mean time lacs of Bangladeshis have entered ind and got voter id illegally courtesy to congress
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Khalid, UK
Apr 17, 2016 09:53pm
Why can't our state provide laws to safe guard minorities and provide equal opportunities to them. It's a shame and signs of state failure. These are our citizens and our responsibility.
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waseem
Apr 17, 2016 10:02pm
“When I lived in Pakistan, I lived as a Hindu, [but] when I migrated to India in search of safety and dignity, I have been given a cold shoulder for being a Pakistani,” lamented Amar Ram, 20, who migrated to India in April last year.
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Babloo
Apr 17, 2016 10:04pm
Have you ever heard of communal riots ( Hindu-muslim, or Christian-muslim ) in Muslim majority countries where Hindus and Christians live ? What is the secret to absence of communal riots in Pakistan, Bangladesh ( even as Hindus have been decimated ) , Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and Egypt ( where significant number of christians live ). I would advise the wise commission, Indian government and Hindus study the absence of minorities-rioting ( Chritians, Hindus ) in Muslim majority states and implement those policies and practices in India. That is the only guaranteed way to end communal riots in India. The previous policies of Hindu majority India have utterly failed. Now emulate the islamic states.
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Priya
Apr 17, 2016 10:23pm
@The End is Near yes there is discrimination in India , but intensity is low. Compare to other countries. How many flew from India?
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Abid Hafeez
Apr 17, 2016 10:42pm
What happened to the girl 'Geeta' whom MS.Balqees Eidhi herself left with the Indian authorities. Upon reaching there and not recognizing her proclaimed parents she prefered living here is Pakistan. She stayed there in India on a condition that if Indian authorities couldn't find her real parents, she would return to Pakistan and stay with Eidis.
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Uzair
Apr 17, 2016 10:54pm
@bingo , you have raised a valid point, BJP here is clearly reinforcing the two nation theory.
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pakistani
Apr 17, 2016 11:06pm
Very sorry that we cannot protect our minorities.
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Imran
Apr 17, 2016 11:27pm
Good luck to the migrants in their new homeland. Hopefully it turns out as well as you expected.
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Ali jee
Apr 18, 2016 12:09am
Both countries look after poor people and children let them live in peace and help them with housing don't worry about what they believe
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wordsofangels
Apr 18, 2016 12:29am
@d.rajendran much, much too late.
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wordsofangels
Apr 18, 2016 12:32am
@Harmony-1© exactly, that's called "lets save ouselves", and that is not happening!
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wordsofangels
Apr 18, 2016 12:33am
@Abdul You couldn't pay them to go back there. after all thats been done, they deserve jail.
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Mukhtar Naqvi
Apr 18, 2016 12:43am
@bingo Rohingya already have refugee status in India. Basically they are Bangladeshis muslims but even Bangladesh does not take them.
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kanwarch
Apr 18, 2016 12:45am
Granting citizenship on the basis of religion is unheard if in modern times. Just proves two nation theory once again.
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Abdulla Hussain
Apr 18, 2016 01:38am
Those opting to get such facilities from India should be made to surrender their Pakistani citizenship & passport as was done in the case of a singer. If anyone don't need Pakistan, Pakistan don't need them either.
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Anil
Apr 18, 2016 01:47am
Live and let live We all love our families
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desiinpardes
Apr 18, 2016 01:51am
Why only Hindu and Sikh refugees? Why not Burmese, Syrians, Iraqis, Yeminis, Africans?
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Syed Jafri
Apr 18, 2016 02:27am
It is very disturbing that 5000 Pakistani Hindus are migrating to India every year. Is Government, civil liberties or human rights organizations are doing anything about it? Pakistan is their country and they should be able to live here without fear of racism or discrimination.
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Neal Kluge
Apr 18, 2016 02:44am
@Shah "Dear Hindu community do not leave for India," Like Shahrukh Khan with a net worth of US $ 700 Million
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Uzma Ahmed
Apr 18, 2016 02:59am
@bingo Roginyas are from Myanmar and we didnt have any partition. We have no responsibility towards Rohingyas - Uzma
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Karan
Apr 18, 2016 03:35am
@kanwarch "Granting citizenship on basis of religion?" Why did that come up? Because they visit as tourists and refuse to go back. Why? food for thought....
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Syed Ali
Apr 18, 2016 04:25am
Very sad story presented by Times of India. Government of Pakistan should have figure of Hindus migrating yearly to India, and either agree or disagree with figure quoted by Dr Ramesh Kumar in Pakistan national assembly i.e 5000 Hindus leaving Pakistan and settling in India each year.This figure apparently don't tally with number of visa granted to Pakistanis by India each year which includes Muslims. In Pakistan there is culture of discrimination on sectarian, ethnic, sect and status bases. Hindus too are its victim. We need to tell our brothers in India that in Sindh interior Hindus are economically better off than Muslims. They are running most of the businesses and owning properties. Hindus in Pakistan have double voting rights, on general and minority reservation seats. Pakistan government is paying attention to books and written materials which hurts minorities or distort history. Of course more needs to be done and we remove word minority from our dictionary.
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Khan -Pakistani , USA
Apr 18, 2016 04:35am
@ASB Please treat them nicely in India . Dont treat them as ISI agents !
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Redback
Apr 18, 2016 04:43am
@Shah My friend, You can not enforce what Pakistan should do but at least help the one who needs.
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AHA
Apr 18, 2016 04:49am
Its shame for Pakistan and its policices
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Ash
Apr 18, 2016 05:11am
We also provide citizenship to normal Muslim Pakistanis too like Adnan Sani.
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Pakistani
Apr 18, 2016 05:30am
Sad
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Khurram Jadoon
Apr 18, 2016 05:46am
They are Pakistani, must stay here, fight for their rights - there are too many who will support them on all forums. There's no such persecution as it's happening in other parts of the world, including Kashmir.
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Akil Akhtar
Apr 18, 2016 05:48am
Propaganda is bigger than reality....
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Akil Akhtar
Apr 18, 2016 05:49am
Discrimination agaisnt minorities is many times worse in india than anywhere else including Pakistan......There are no mob attacks on hindus in Pakistan like there are on muslims in india. The hindus are using it as an excuse to move to a better performing economy....
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Manoj
Apr 18, 2016 06:31am
The real solution is to remove religion from politics. India is bad but its Islamic neighbours are worst. I'm surprised that Bangladeshis are becoming so fanatical.
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Raja Parekh
Apr 18, 2016 07:13am
India should be careful as many miscreants likely to enter in the guise of Hindus which will spoil the peace in country.
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Nawaz Arshad
Apr 18, 2016 07:17am
As a neutral point of view ,it will serve no purpose as India imports $300 billion/year oil from OIC.If needed india has the option of diversifying its oil to countries like Russia,Iran,Venezuela or even shale oil from USA and Canada from OIC leading to severe losses to OIC.India knows how to use its powers and pull the plugs accordingly in global arena.
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Riaz Uddin
Apr 18, 2016 07:35am
Pakistan is like a garden and minorities add its beauty. The Govt of Pakistan should take notice of it. Appropriate measures should be taken to bring back hindus and ensure that they live their live with freedom and honour
Recommend 0
Gill
Apr 18, 2016 08:18am
This is not good for India in long run .
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Amused Audience
Apr 18, 2016 08:52am
Well I have interacted with some Pakistani Hindus who 'migrated to India' in search of 'greener pastures,' got disappointed and quietly returned to Pakistan which they now call heaven as compared to India. Isn't it surprising my dear Indian friends?
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redjhon
Apr 18, 2016 08:57am
@bingo Unlike the Rohingyas who are technically from proper Bangladesh who then migrated to Burma in a bid to protect Burma from Imperial Japan forces, the hindus have no other country to go to, India is the only home they have hence must be protected on that basis, this was also the basis for partition hence cannot be ethically debated.
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Battleaxe
Apr 18, 2016 09:19am
Adnan Sami got it , why not them.
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Just a Human Being
Apr 18, 2016 10:10am
India is not granting citizenship to Hindu's in Pakistan . India is just offering more services when PAkistani hindus come on long term visa.
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Tapish
Apr 18, 2016 10:33am
Pakistan should try and stop the people from migrating. They have to uphold the principles of Jinnah. He never dreamt of a situation where the minority who along with other muslims braved the partition and chose to stay on , are forced to migrate .
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rahul
Apr 18, 2016 11:42am
the problem with minorities only from bangladesh and pakistan will anyone tell me y this..
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Bored
Apr 18, 2016 12:27pm
@Akil Akhtar I agree with you.
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Ayaz Munir
Apr 18, 2016 12:29pm
@rahul are you serious my friend? how many religious riots have taken place in Pakistan's history? Please note there are 10 million Non Muslim who are 5% of our population ( which is the same proportion of Sikhs and Christians combined in India), but you wont see religious riots here. The only problem in Pakistan is that the rich in interior Sindh were being targeted previously and Hindus constitute a majority among Sindh's Elite. Peace
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indian
Apr 18, 2016 01:37pm
@Babloo u have to come and stay in india for some time to understand what freedom means and what democracy means .idea is not to criticize but yes you will realize that secular state brings its own diversity and is healthy.the communal flare up u see is poltically motivated partly
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Mohammad Wani
Apr 18, 2016 01:53pm
On the other hand i wish Pakistan offered Indian Muslims citizenship and other related rights and would be excited to see the results.
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Shivan
Apr 18, 2016 03:47pm
@Shah Why are they leaving if conditions for them are so good here?
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Shivan
Apr 18, 2016 03:52pm
@Abdulla Hussain It is clear that they have made their choice.
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umar draz
Apr 18, 2016 04:04pm
Nice decision modi ji...
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rahul
Apr 18, 2016 04:07pm
@Ayaz Munir You are right bro
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CITIZEN
Apr 18, 2016 04:46pm
They can live in India after expiry of documents but will never get citizenship.
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Taimr
Apr 18, 2016 05:04pm
There is nothing precious than life. If our Hindu brothers are not safe in Pakistan they have the right to migrate to any country including India.
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Panky india
Apr 18, 2016 05:24pm
A good and harmonious environment makes a good society to live everyone without any pressure. But...I am very sad that they all are leaving their motherland... Pakistan should help and support them....
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hzr
Apr 18, 2016 05:43pm
@Shivan They can still make another attempt
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rs
Apr 18, 2016 07:14pm
@The End is Near In India minorities enjoy more facilities than majority community.
Recommend 0
R S Chakravarti
Apr 18, 2016 07:44pm
@Abdulla Hussain India doesn't permit dual citizenship. An Indian citizen is not a citizen of any other country.
Recommend 0
Sanjeev
Apr 18, 2016 07:52pm
Very good decision by our goverment,
Recommend 0
sidharth sid
Apr 19, 2016 10:13am
Good decision gov of India.
Recommend 0
ten
Apr 19, 2016 03:07pm
@bingo agree
Recommend 0
Harsh
Apr 19, 2016 03:34pm
Pakistan should improve their condition and keep them.
Recommend 0
Abdulla Hussain
Apr 19, 2016 04:56pm
@Harsh: Only if India leave them alone.
Recommend 0
Abdulla Hussain
Apr 19, 2016 04:58pm
@sidharth sid: Very good, at least they will have a chance to live in slum & then understand what they left behind.
Recommend 0
Abdulla Hussain
Apr 19, 2016 05:03pm
@Taimr: Good suggestion, India should accept all wishing to take indian nationality, they will enjoy most luxurious life there.
Recommend 0
Abdulla Hussain
Apr 19, 2016 05:06pm
@Just a Human Being : What is long term visa on the one hand India refuses visa to sportsmen & on the other India wants to grant life long visa to visiting Pakistanis
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dawn
Apr 19, 2016 05:43pm
Shame. They should be comfortable staying at 'home' and enjoy every privilege enjoy by the Muslims.
Recommend 0
FutureWizard
Apr 19, 2016 06:44pm
Welcome home folks.
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ASHISH
Apr 19, 2016 08:12pm
It is well established fact that percentage of minorities population in PAK come down heavily since partition so is Bangladesh.Whereas in India It increased.PAK govt to introspect here.If someone not agree google it
Recommend 0

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