MHA keeps no country-wise list of citizenships: RTI

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) does not maintain any database either countrywise or religionwise -- of Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Afghani nationals being given Indian citizenship.

This was stated by MHA to veteran peace activist Jatin Desai, who had sought the information under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

Desai's specific query was - "How many Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Afghani have been given Indian citizenship in the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and in 2018 (till October)?"

However, BC Joshi, Director (C)/CPIO, MHA, replied: "The information sought is not maintained countrywise or religionwise. Hence cannot be provided."

On another question as to how many applications for Indian citizenship has been denied in these years, the MHA reply was: "There is no provision under Citizenship Act, 1955 to maintain such record. Hence, information may be treated as nil."

To a question on how many Pakistanis are living in India on a long-term visa, the query was forwarded to MHA's Foreigners Division. "As the subject matter is closely connected with the Foreigners wing, therefore is being forwarded to Director (F) and CPIO, Foreigners Division for a reply."

It is to be mentioned that Desai works towards global peace and it was among others his efforts that Mumbai lad Hamid Ansari, who was languishing in Pakistani jails after being charged and convicted for spying could return to his homeland.

According to Desai, his RTI queries was vis-a-vis Citizenship Bill, which if passed, will allow six minorities from these three countries to be granted citizenship. The minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh include Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians.