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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
‘Nothing left to hold me back now': Doctor who came from Pakistan in 2009 granted Indian citizenship
In 2009, when he arrived from Pakistan to India, Dr Nanikraz Khanoomal Mukhi had few possessions. But what he had was immense hope in his heart – to give his family a better life, away from the 'discrimination' they faced back home. 'It feels like everything I had been struggling for is finally here. There's nothing left to hold me back. Now, I can get an Aadhaar card and live my life not as a stateless person, but as a rightful citizen,' Dr Mukhi said. Presently living in Sardar Nagar, Ahmedabad, Dr Mukhi, who hailed from Hyderabad of Sindh province in Pakistan, arrived to India on a visitor visa 16 years ago. He said he used to face discrimination in Pakistan since he was a Sindhi Hindu minority there. A qualified doctor, Dr Mukhi completed his MBBS from Liaquat Medical College, Karachi, and holds a Diploma in Sonography from Jinnah Medical College, also in Karachi. After arriving in India, he secured a Long Term Visa (LTV). On August 20, 2016, he submitted an application for Indian citizenship under Section 6 of the Citizenship Act, 1955. On July 11, 2017, Dr Mukhi received a letter from the Office of the Collector and District Magistrate, Ahmedabad, acknowledging his application registration. On March 30, 2021, he formally renounced his Pakistani citizenship and surrendered his passport to the Embassy of Pakistan in New Delhi. 'They told me to pay the challan (fee) and said my citizenship will be processed within 15 days,' said Dr Mukhi. Dr Mukhi's wife Bhoji Bai, who had applied for citizenship alongside him, was granted the same on March 9, 2022. His daughter Nandita Das, currently pursuing MBBS at B J Medical College in Pune, was granted citizenship on October 16, 2024. His brothers Bhojo and Washu Mukhi, and sister Vijayanti Mukhi, were also granted citizenship. His application, though, remained pending, ostensibly on account of a pending intelligence report. His son Kabir, currently studying MBBS in Kota, has applied for citizenship under Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. His youngest son Ranjit, who just completed Class 12, remains a Pakistani citizen. After making several follow-ups and repeated visits to the office of the DM, Dr Mukhi chose to approach the Gujarat High Court earlier this year, under Articles 14, 21, and 226 of the Constitution of India, along with Section 6B of the Citizenship Act, 1955. 'It's a bureaucratic paradox. I'm not a Pakistani anymore, and I'm not yet Indian. So, I fall through every crack in the system,' Dr Mukhi had earlier told The Indian Express. In 2023, Dr Mukhi cleared the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) under the National Medical Commission and began practising in Rakhiyal, Ahmedabad. However, in October 2024, his clinic Jhulelal Sonography was sealed by the AMC Health Department (North Zone) on the grounds that he lacked registration with the Gujarat Medical Council, a process which, according to Dr Mukhi, is not possible without Indian citizenship. Since then, he had been making ends meet by doing odd jobs in allied fields. Speaking to The Indian Express, Dr Ashwin Kharadi, Deputy Health Officer for the North Zone, said that the clinic was sealed by his predecessor. Speaking to The Indian Express, advocate Ratna Vora, representing Dr Mukhi, said, 'The application for citizenship had been pending since 2016. The petitioner filed another application in 2021, which was rejected. Thereafter, in 2024 he applied again and the matter was pending as they said they had not received the report of the Intelligence Bureau. We received the certificate today (Thursday), which means his application has been accepted and citizenship granted with effect from August 5. He is happy and relieved…' On Thursday, when Dr Mukhi's matter came up for hearing, Justice Niral Mehta orally said to his counsel, 'They (respondents)have granted the certificate (of citizenship).' The court was referring to the Certificate of Registration issued by the DM and District Collector of Ahmedabad on August 5, which was handed over to the petitioner on Thursday. The certificate stated, 'In exercise of the powers conferred upon the undersigned… this is to certify that the person whose particulars are given below has been registered as a citizen of India under the provisions of Section 5(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.' Citizenship in India is governed by the Citizenship Act of 1955. This Act outlines how a person can acquire Indian citizenship — by birth, descent, registration, naturalisation, or when a new territory becomes part of India. (Jay Jani is an intern with The Indian Express, Ahmedabad)
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Pakistani Hindu doctor, stateless for four years, gets Indian citizenship
A doctor from Pakistan, 'stateless' for the past four years, has been registered as an Indian citizen, the Gujarat High Court was informed on Thursday (August 7, 2025). Nanikraz Khanoomal Mukhi (53), 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. Dr. Mukhi was registered as an Indian on August 5 under Section 5 (1) (A) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 by the office of District Magistrate, Ahmedabad. The Section prescribes citizenship to a person of Indian origin who is ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making an application for registration and is not an illegal migrant. The Hindu reported about Dr. Mukhi's case on July 19. Dr. Mukhi had been running from pillar to post to get registered as an Indian since 2021, when he renounced his Pakistani passport after receiving a letter from the Ahmedabad Collector's office that the application has been processed and he would receive the citizenship soon. He applied for citizenship in 2016. Clinic sealed As his application remained stuck in red tape, his clinic in Ahmedabad was sealed by the health officials as he was not an Indian citizen. Dr. Mukhi moved the Gujarat High Court against the Union of India and the State of Gujarat on April 30. After the Union government's counsel informed the court on Thursday that Dr. Mukhi has been granted citizenship, he decided to withdraw the petition. 'As an Indian I will get legal rights and the right to practice as a medical doctor now. I can apply for a voter card and a passport. I did not have any rights for the past four years. I had no nationality so far. It is a huge relief,' Dr. Mukhi told The Hindu. He added that he would apply for a medical licence with the Gujarat Medical Council soon. 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 MHA has delegated powers to district magistrates/collectors of 31 districts in nine States, including Gujarat, 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.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- 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
16-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Pak doc moves Gujarat HC after long wait for Indian citizenship
Ahmedabad: A doctor from Pakistan living in India for the past 16 years approached the Gujarat high court after the authorities granted Indian citizenship to his siblings, wife, and daughter, while his application for citizenship remained undecided. The petition was filed by Dr Nanikraz Mukhi, who migrated to India from Pakistan with his family members in 2009. He has been living in the Sardar Nagar area of the city since then. He applied for Indian citizenship in 2016 and submitted a declaration renouncing Pakistani citizenship under Section 141 of the Pakistani Citizenship Act. He surrendered his passport to the Pakistan embassy in Jan 2021. In his petition, Mukhi stated that he applied for citizenship again in Oct 2021, but his application was rejected despite completing all the formalities. This was because the authorities reportedly did not receive the Central IB clearance in his case. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad He applied for Indian citizenship for the third time in March 2024 under the provisions of Section 6 of the Citizenship Act. As he did not receive any update from the authorities, Mukhi approached the HC but withdrew his application earlier this year due to procedural deficiencies and filed the petition again through advocate Ratna Vora. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giá vàng đang tăng mạnh trong năm 2025 — Các nhà giao dịch thông minh đã tham gia IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo He contended that all of his siblings who came to India were granted citizenship. His brother Mangumal Ladhani, who came to India from the neighbouring country in 1990, is an Indian citizen. His two other brothers, Bojamal and Vasumal, and sister Vaijanti, who came to India in 2009, have been granted Indian citizenship. One of his brothers, Ramesh, who came to India in 2019, is yet to apply for Indian citizenship. Mukhi further contended that his wife got Indian citizenship in March 22, and his daughter in Oct 2024. Though he is similarly situated, his request for Indian citizenship has either been rejected or the decision has been delayed without any reason. In Feb 2025, he received a letter from the district collectorate indicating that the Central IB report in his case was either misplaced or not updated. Mukhi has urged the HC to direct the authorities to take a quick decision on his application for citizenship on the grounds that though his case is similar to his relatives, his case for citizenship is not being considered. The misplaced Central IB report is a procedural lapse on the part of the authorities, and he should not be made to suffer for their fault. He is a qualified MBBS doctor and sonologist, but he is unable to register himself with the Medical Council of India or practice, and this results in economic hardship for his family. The HC has posted Mukhi's case on Aug 1 for the hearing.
The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Disciples of Delhi P. Sunder Rajan revisited and reimagined pallavis, crafted by past masters
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has invaded even the Carnatic concert stage — truly 'All-Invasive' — , one might say. Just days after ChatGPT made its debut as a pallavi composer at Pallavi Darbar 2025, though the spotlight swung back to tradition. Under the auspices of Carnatica and Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, , disciples of vocalist-violinist Delhi P. Sunder Rajan revisited and reimagined pallavis, crafted by past masters and their guru. The event took place at Srinivasa Sastri Hall. Shruthi Shankar Kumar, R.P. Shravan, Padmashree Srinivasan and Dhanya Rudrapatnam not only rendered a curated array of pallavis with flair, but also articulated their structural and aesthetic insights with endearing clarity. A reminder, perhaps, that in Carnatic music, timelessness and evolution are but two sides of the same coin. Nine compositions The programme titled 'Pallavi Memoirs' saw the quartet present nine selections, with Chidambaram G. Badrinath on the violin and R. Akshay Ram on the mridangam providing enthusiastic support. Of these, four were composed by T.R. Subramaniam, a pioneering one by M. Balamuralikrishna and four by Sunder Rajan. Given the focus was on the pallavi structure, the traditional trikalam and tisram demonstrated were relevant and manodharma was kept minimal. Known for his inventive, populist approaches to pallavi, TRS brought a fresh energy to the form. BMK, on the other hand, enriched the rhythmic canvas with his Mukhi pallavis, opening up new exploratory possibilities within the Carnatic idiom. The main pallavi, composed by Sunder Rajan, was in fact a creative expansion of BMK's Mukhi concept. Derivatives of talas Though it came later in the recital, the conceptual high point merits early attention here. As a tribute to the maestro on his 95th birthday, the team offered a brief presentation of BMK's well-known Panchamukhi Adi tala pallavi in Kalyani 'Sangeetha laya jnaanamu, sakala sowbhagyamu'. BMK devised the Mukhi talas — Trimukhi, Panchamukhi, Saptamukhi, and Navamukhi — by applying different gatis (rhythmic subdivisions) to the two components of a Suladi tala: sa-shabda (with sound) and ni-shabda (without sound). In these talas, only the sa-shabda kriyas (e.g., beats 1, 5, and 7 in Adi tala) adopt a nadai other than chatusram, while the rest of the cycle retains its base structure. The tala derives its name from the nadai applied to these audible beats: tisram (Trimukhi), khandam (Panchamukhi), misram (Saptamukhi), and sankeernam (Navamukhi). Inspired by the concept, Sunder Rajan composed a Gati-traya Bahumukhi pallavi (featuring three gatis and multiple rhythmic dimensions) in Charukesi, set to Misra Triputa tala. Following a succinct raga alapana by Dhanya, mirrored on the violin by Badrinath, Shravan rendered the tanam. The intricate pallavi 'Eesanai mahesanai ninai, trinethranai pavithranai jaga(deesanai)' was executed with poise by the disciples. Its vibrant rhythmic fabric incorporated tisra (first beat), khanda (eighth) and misra (10th) gatis in the sa-shabda sections, representing the confluence of the three gatis . A short burst of kalpanaswaras followed, with Akshay Ram capping the piece with a crisp, energetic tani avartanam. Earlier, the recital opened with three consecutive pallavis by TRS. The first in Pantuvarali 'Sambho mahadeva vibho paahi prabho, santatam swayambho' was set to Misra Triputa. The uttarangam featured a Gopuccha yati — a tapering sequence of syllables resembling the shape of a cow's tail — beginning with 'santatam' (seven counts), followed by 'swayambho' (6), and continuing into the purvangam with 'sambho' (5) and 'maha' (4). Interesting addition A Bilahari sketch by Shruthi preceded the next pallavi 'Raghukula tilakudai velasina ramachandrude' set to Khanda Triputa. The embedded trikalam in each of the first three words — in a 4:2:1 ratio — was aesthetically executed, as was the tisram. The inverse ratio singing (1:2:4) was an interesting addition. The Kiravani pallavi, 'Vallee deva senapathe namo namasthe' had a tanam prelude by Padmashree. Set to Khanda Triputa, this pallavi featured a receding mathematical pattern in the purvangam: 'vallee' - 4,4 counts; 'deva' - 3,3; and 'senapathe' - 2,2. In the uttarangam, namo - 1,4; namasthe - 1,4; and 1,4 (the final 4 transitioning into the purvangam). After trikalam in chatusra and tisra nadai-s, pratilomam was performed from the arudhi — an uncommon but intriguing choice. The swara garland, besides Kiravani, included Valaji (Dhanya), Abheri (Shruthi), Shanmukhapriya (Shravan), Mohanakalyani (Padmashree) and Vasanthi (Badrinath). The next three presented were those of Sunder Rajan. The Saveri pallavi in 2-kalai Adi tala 'Kumara (3 syllables) gurupara (4) karthike(ya) (5) ninadhupadhamalar (7) panivome (5)' showcased elegant ascending and descending patterns. The purvangam built up as 1 matra X 3 syllables, 2X4, and 3X5, while the uttarangam traced a descending sequence — 3X7, 2X5, and finally 1X3 (returning to 'Kumara'). 'Venkataramana sankataharana tirupati' in Lathangi and set to Khanda Jhampa, had the purvangam in Tisra nadai (3X5) and uttarangam in Khanda nadai (5X3), and was well-executed along with trikalam in Chatusra tisram and pratilomam. The swarakshara pallavi in Khamas 'Saamagaana lola nin paadhame gathi mahadeva sadasiva nidham panindhen', set to Adi tala in Khanda nadai, was presented in four speeds — keezh, chatusra-tisram, samam and mel. The concluding number — a Surutti pallavi in Sankeerna Jhampa tala (Tisra nadai) 'Velan sivabalan varagunaseelan vallee lolan', composed by TRS, was structured in Srotovaha yati, the ascending counterpart to Gopuccha yati, evoking the image of a river that begins as a trickle and gradually widens. The quartet performed Chatusram to this Tisra nadai pallavi with assurance.
