The Indian Government has announced its commitment to offer long-term visa or citizenship to Pakistan and Bangladesh minorities facing harassment in their countries.

In Lok Sabha, Kiren Rijiju, Minister of state for home, said that many from minority communities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh come to India seeking citizenship or long-term visa.

Rijiju said, "Most people who come from Bangladesh do not possess any document, while people coming from Pakistan and Afghanistan come with invalid papers. We are committed to provide them long-term visa or citizenship. We have already launched a very easy process to get long-term visa or citizenship.”

Rijiju said it was difficult for him to make a statement in the House about religious minorities of neighboring countries, even though the Government was worried about their status.

The Citizenship Act

Minister said that the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and rules framed under it will govern the grant of Indian citizenship. According to the Act, Indian Citizenship could be acquired by birth, by descent, by registration, by naturalisation and by incorporation of the territory.

The existing Long Term Visa Policy Guidelines will facilitate nationals of Bangladesh and Pakistan long term visas (LTV) under several categories.

- Sumana