India grants citizenship to first batch of immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
July 24, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2025
India grants citizenship to first batch of immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan

South Asia

TBS Report
16 May, 2024, 11:00 am
Last modified: 16 May, 2024, 12:39 pm

Related News

  • US yet to confirm third-round talks as tariff deadline looms
  • Khulna Power to sell second plant to Turkish firm
  • Milestone plane crash: Students were preparing for coaching after class
  • Milestone crash: Indian medical team arrives in Dhaka
  • India to resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens

India grants citizenship to first batch of immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan

TBS Report
16 May, 2024, 11:00 am
Last modified: 16 May, 2024, 12:39 pm
India grants citizenship to first batch of immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan

India granted citizenship to a first group of 14 people on Wednesday under a controversial law criticized for discriminating against Muslims, during general elections where religious divisions are prominent.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) grants citizenship to Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians who fled Muslim-majority Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan before 31 December 2014, due to religious persecution, reports Arab News.

Passed in 2019, the law was initially delayed because of strong protests and sectarian violence in New Delhi and other areas, which resulted in numerous deaths. India implemented the act in March, just weeks before the ongoing elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are seeking a rare third consecutive term. Both Modi and the BJP deny that the CAA is anti-Muslim.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Four of the seven election phases have concluded, and votes will be counted on 4 June.

 

India granted citizenship to a first group of 14 people on Wednesday under a controversial law criticized for discriminating against Muslims, during general elections where religious divisions are prominent.

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) grants citizenship to Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians who fled Muslim-majority Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution.

Passed in 2019, the law was initially delayed because of strong protests and sectarian violence in New Delhi and other areas, which resulted in numerous deaths. India implemented the act in March, just weeks before the ongoing elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are seeking a rare third consecutive term. Both Modi and the BJP deny that the CAA is anti-Muslim.

Four of the seven election phases have concluded, and votes will be counted on 4 June, says Arab News.

On Wednesday, the recipients took the oath of allegiance and were granted citizenship after their documents were verified, the home ministry said in a statement without detailing their identities.

India, with a Hindu majority, has the world's third-largest Muslim population, totaling 200 million. Rights and opposition groups have criticized Modi's government and the BJP, claiming they target the minority community and systematically discriminate against them to further the party's core Hindu revivalist ideology.

 

Modi and BJP deny the accusation and say they work for the welfare of all communities.

They have also stated that the citizenship law is intended to make it easier for non-Muslim refugees to attain a dignified life by granting them citizenship, rather than taking it away from anyone. They noted that Muslim refugees can still apply for citizenship under the regular rules governing the process.

"This is like being reborn," Harish Kumar, a Hindu refugee from Pakistan living in Delhi for over a decade, told news agency ANI after getting his citizenship on Wednesday. "If a person doesn't have rights then what is the point, (now) we can go forward in education, jobs."

India began voting on 19 April in the seven-phase election for which Modi launched his campaign by showcasing his economic record, governance and popularity.

 

World+Biz

India / Citizenship / Bangladesh / Pakistan / Afghanistan

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Infographics: TBS
    Stay orders won’t shield defaulters: BB governor 
  • Infographics: TBS
    How state-owned Gazi Wires sinks into losses due to reliance on govt procurement
  • Representational image/Reuters
    Dollar gets upward push as BB buys $10m more in auction at even higher rate

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Collected
    Bangladeshi man jailed for life in UK for murdering wife in front of their baby
  • Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
    Ctg port authority halts contractor recruitment for Kamalapur ICD operations for two months
  • Fire at Cosmo School in Mirpur on 23 July 2025. Photo: TBS
    Fire breaks out at Cosmo School in Mirpur following generator explosion
  • Representational image. File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Debate arises as edu adviser says postponed HSC exams of 22 and 24 July will be held on same day
  • The Government Seal of Bangladesh
    Govt mulls allowing trade unions with 20 workers, industry leaders warn of disorder
  • Photo: CA Press Wing
    Stronger stance needed on maintaining law and order: Political parties to CA

Related News

  • US yet to confirm third-round talks as tariff deadline looms
  • Khulna Power to sell second plant to Turkish firm
  • Milestone plane crash: Students were preparing for coaching after class
  • Milestone crash: Indian medical team arrives in Dhaka
  • India to resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens

Features

Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

8h | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

1d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

1d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Uttara, Jatrabari, Savar and more: The killing fields that ran red with July martyrs’ blood

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Coca-Cola is launching a 'Trump version' made with cane sugar

Coca-Cola is launching a 'Trump version' made with cane sugar

13m | Others
ISPR reports 31 dead, official tally 29

ISPR reports 31 dead, official tally 29

10h | TBS Today
13 political parties meet with chief advisor; urge to announce election date

13 political parties meet with chief advisor; urge to announce election date

10h | TBS Today
Bangladesh and Pakistan unite to fight drugs

Bangladesh and Pakistan unite to fight drugs

11h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net