RAJKOT: After years of waiting, 319 Hindu refugees who fled oppression and discrimination in Pakistan and settled in Gujarat have been granted Indian citizenship. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi presented the official citizenship certificates to the beneficiaries at a ceremony held at Swami Auditorium in Rajkot.
Many of the recipients were visibly emotional at the event, with some moved to tears. Congratulating them, Sanghavi said, “Smile, from now on you are all officially Indians.” He credited the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for making this possible.
Recalling the hardships faced by Hindus in parts of Pakistan such as Tharparkar, Sanghavi said women in particular lived without adequate security, and many were forced to change their names to protect their lives. With citizenship now granted, he said, they can live under their original names, with dignity and without fear. He added that a pass to take part in Rajkot’s Garba festivities was worth far more than a Pakistani passport.
District-wise breakdown
Of the 319 beneficiaries, 259 are from Rajkot district, 53 from Morbi, six from Kutch and one from Surendranagar.
Beneficiaries described the citizenship as the start of a new chapter in their lives. They said they will now be eligible for Aadhaar cards and voter IDs, and will be able to vote in upcoming elections. Refugee families also said access to bank loans would allow them to buy their own homes, fulfilling a long-held dream.