Latest news with #CAA
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Stateless for four years, doctor from Pakistan knocks on Gujarat High Court's door for citizenship
A 50-year-old doctor from Pakistan has been 'stateless' for the past four years and decided to move the Gujarat High Court with the hope of pushing officials to help him secure Indian citizenship. Nanikraz Khanoomal Mukhi, who had a sonography clinic in Pakistan's Hyderabad, chose to move to India in 2009 for his children's education and to escape possible religious persecution. After settling down in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where his relatives are residing, Dr. Mukhi applied for citizenship in 2016. In 2021, he received a letter from Ahmedabad Collector's office that the application has been processed and he would receive the citizenship soon. This is when Dr. Mukhi's troubles began. Also read: India's citizenship laws: The Constituent Assembly dilemma 'Like an open jail' 'On receiving the letter, I went to Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, surrendered my Pakistani passport and renounced Pakistani citizenship. However, the citizenship certificate never arrived and for the past four years I am living as a stateless person. It is like being in an open jail. I have no nationality,' Dr. Mukhi told The Hindu. After writing letters and visiting the Ahmedabad Collector's office multiple times, Dr. Mukhi moved the Gujarat High Court against the Union of India and State of Gujarat on April 30. 'The Union government is yet to file a reply, the case keeps getting adjourned. This is grave injustice. We left Pakistan to make a better life here. I was worried about my daughter's safety. There are several cases of forcible conversion of women there. But now I am being made to suffer here because government officials have chosen to look the other way,' Dr. Mukhi said. The next date of hearing is August 6. Wife, children secured citizenship Dr. Mukhi's wife, who had applied for citizenship with him, has been granted the naturalisation certificate. His three children acquired citizenship after they registered under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 which became effective on March 11, 2024. Citizenship is a subject under the Union List and is decided by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Ministry has, however, periodically delegated powers to district magistrates/collectors of 31 districts in nine States to grant citizenship to legal migrants (who entered on passport/visa) from the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan under Section 5 (by registration) and Section 6 (naturalisation) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. He added that he too applied for citizenship under CAA in 2024 but his application is pending. Though CAA is for undocumented migrants from the three countries, the online portal asks applicants to provide any six types of documents and specify 'date of entry' in India. The applicants are also asked for an 'eligibility certificate' issued by a 'locally reputed community institution' confirming that he/she belongs to 'Hindu/ Sikh/ Buddhist/ Jain/ Parsi/ Christian community and continues to be a member of the above mentioned community.' The empowered committee, which grants citizenship under CAA, is headed by Director (Census Operations) in each State. 'The Census official told me that my application [under CAA] is pending as I applied through Collector's office and renounced Pakistani citizenship on the basis of a letter,' Dr. Mukhi added.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Crackdown on Bangladeshis: Hindu refugees feel the heat without docus, CAA still a mirage
Nagpur: With many states, including Maharashtra launching a crackdown on infiltrators from Bangladesh, the Bengali-speaking Hindus who fled the restive country to escape religious persecution are feeling the heat. "We were part of the exodus from erstwhile East Pakistan. Then there was another surge of refugees even after Bangladesh was formed, many of whom were settled in the forested areas of Gadchiroli. We Hindus escaped the communal cauldron to find refuge in India, and now we are being hounded again by police. We feel helpless when asked to prove our credentials in the ongoing drive against illegal Bangladeshis," said Subodh Biswas, national president of Nikhil Bharat Bangali Samanbay Samiti — a nationwide guild of Hindus from erstwhile East Pakistan. With many tossed in detention camps across states, the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday asked the Centre to file an affidavit, explaining the rationale behind the action. Most importantly, despite being Hindus, they cannot become Indian nationals through the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) due to lack of documents, say Samiti leaders. The law opened doors to minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to become Indian citizens, but majority Hindus who fled Bangladesh under trying circumstances in the dead of night failed to carry documents with them. Biswas, who is based in Nagpur, told TOI that Bengali-speaking Hindus are now in a spot. "Maharashtra police are demanding documents to prove our nationality, which not many can produce," he said, adding hundreds of Hindus continued to stream into India even after Bangladesh was formed and most of them joined their community members in refugee camps and settlement zones in Gadchiroli. "They could have simply applied under CAA, but documents that need to be submitted include credentials from Bangladesh, which most Hindus don't have. They fled the country under compelling conditions and often to escape death. Who will help them retrieve the papers now," asked Biswas. This makes them vulnerable to police raids. There have been arrests in Maharashtra too. Two migrant workers were arrested in Akola and continue to remain in custody. There was another arrest in Nashik — the person was in India for 50 years, he says. Biswas said the Samiti has demanded that CAA conditions be relaxed for refugees. He also shared a letter issued by the police in Kanker district in Chhattisgarh, appealing to local villagers to share information on Bangladeshi infiltrators. Like Gadchiroli, settlement camps were also established in Chhattisgarh after the 1971 war. Manoj Mandal, the Samiti representative at Pakhanjur town of Chhattisgarh, said the state has also issued a toll-free number for locals to report on the whereabouts of Bengali-speaking people. This has created troubles for many Hindus. At times even personal scores are being settled. In Odisha, where detention camps were set up, said Nimai Sarkar, a former MP and now the state president of the Samiti. "Hindus fled for their lives and did not carry anything. How can they be expected to submit documents if they apply under CAA," he asked. A CAA applicant can put up any document like a birth certificate from Bangladesh, a passport, or even a paper that proves the applicant's grandparents were citizens of that country, said a source handling the cases.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
'Implement CAA If You Care For Bengalis,' Himanta Sarma Dares Mamata Banerjee
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her statement on alleged harassment of Bengali migrants in the BJP-ruled states. Addressing the media late last night, Mr Sarma asked the Trinamool Congress leader to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in West Bengal if she 'cares for Bengalis.' The dare was laced with a belief and allegation that Ms Banerjee is only concerned about 'Muslim Bengalis.' "Mamata Banerjee should realise that in Assam, Bengali Hindus are not only protected, but they have also been assimilated into the greater Assam landscape ... They are practising their language, religion, and are part of a greater Assamese society," said Mr Sarma while responding to a question by a reporter. Mr Sarma boasted that there is no division between Assamese and Bengalis in Assam; however, he questioned the TMC leader's stance on Bengalis. "If you are at all interested in Bengali people, then why don't you implement CAA in West Bengal?" he asked Chief Minister Banerjee. "The question is whether Mamata Banerjee likes Bengalis or only Muslim Bengalis. In my answer, Mamata Banerjee likes only Muslim Bengalis and if she comes to Assam, for the Muslim Bengali, Assamese people and Hindu Bengalis will not spare her." असम में बंगाली हिंदू सुरक्षित हैं, लेकिन TMC को सिर्फ बंगाली मुसलमानों की चिंता है। अगर उन्हें बंगाली हिंदुओं से इतना प्रेम है, तो फिर उन्होंने CAA का विरोध क्यों किया? — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 17, 2025 Sharing the clipping on the social media site X (formerly Twitter), Mr Sarma reiterated his question and belief. He wrote, "Bengali Hindus are safe in Assam, but TMC is only concerned about Bengali Muslims. If they love Bengali Hindus so much, then why did they oppose the CAA?" This comes after Ms Banerjee took to the streets of Kolkata on Thursday to protest the alleged harassment of Bengali speakers in BJP-ruled states. Accusing the BJP-led central and state governments of targeting Bengali migrants, she said Bengal fought for India's freedom, and BJP should be ashamed. "What does BJP think? They will hurt Bengalis? They are calling them Rohingya. Rohingya are in Myanmar, not here. 22 lakh poor migrant workers are being targeted. I appeal to them to return home. They will be safe here. The BJP is sending Bengali speakers to detention camps. Is West Bengal not in India?" Ms Banerjee said. She asked if the BJP had forgotten the Bengalis' sacrifice and freedom fighters.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Air restrictions in place over Donald Trump's resort ahead of Scotland visit
Measures come after paraglider incident during US president's previous Scottish trip Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Strict airspace restrictions will be in place over Donald Trump's inaugural Scottish golf resort as part of a vast security operation ahead of the US president's widely expected visit to the property. Notices filed by the Civil Aviation Authority reveal that sweeping flying regulations will be put in place over the Aberdeenshire site for nearly two weeks. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With a multimillion pound policing operation stepping up a gear after Downing Street confirmed Mr Trump will visit Scotland later this month, the measures imposed by the UK's aviation watchdog take effect this weekend. The exact details and dates of Mr Trump's visit - his first to his mother's homeland since 2023 - remain unclear, but the CAA restrictions began on 20 July, and will remain in place until 10 August. Donald Trump plays a round of golf at the Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. The US president is expected to return to the property when he visits Scotland later this month. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty | Getty It means that over that 22 day period, no unmanned aircraft will be allowed to fly below 1,000 feet within a one mile radius surrounding Trump International Golf Links. The ban not only covers drones, but parachutes, paramotors, small balloons, and any kites, according to the documentation drawn up by the CAA's regulators. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad During Mr Trump's visit to Scotland in his first term in office, widespread protests included a paraglider who descended on his Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire brandishing a banner which read 'Trump: well below par'. In the wake of the incident in July 2018, Police Scotland warned the paraglider that they had put themselves in 'grave danger,' given armed officers from the US and the UK were protecting Mr Trump, who had arrived at Turnberry shortly beforehand. A second course at the Balmedie resort will open to players next month. Picture:. | Getty A 55-year-old man was subsequently arrested, charged and released pending further inquiries, while that November, Police Scotland said a 35-year-old man had been reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the incident. However, the Crown Office announced the following year that no criminal proceedings would be brought. Mr Trump's Aberdeenshire resort is set to host a series of tournaments in the coming weeks. The Legends Tour Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, an event featuring veterans including Colin Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie, and José María Olazábal will be staged between 31 July and 3 August. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It will be followed by the DP World Tour Next Championship, which takes place between 7 August and 10 August. But the CAA restrictions will be in place for ten days before the first of the two tournaments begin. The Balmedie resort, which has yet to turn a profit, is also set to welcome players to its new course come 13 August. Mr Trump is expected to take part in the opening ceremony for the recently constructed links, named after his mother, when he visits later this month. It comes amid reports that Police Scotland has requested extra officers from across the UK to support the upcoming visit by Mr Trump.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Morning Rush: Clearer rules needed for e-scooters & e-bikes
Ottawa Watch Bill Carroll from The Morning Rush shares his thoughts on CAA and The Traffic Injury Research Foundation call for clearer rules on e-bikes and e-scooters.
