Rajkot: About 185 Hindus displaced from Pakistan and settled in Kutch, Morbi, and Rajkot districts were granted Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, at an event held in Rajkot.

As directed by Rajkot District Collector Dr. Om Prakash, the district administration organized the Indian Citizenship Certificate Granting Camp at Atmiya University in the presence of Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi.

On this occasion, MoS Sanghavi said that for those displaced from Pakistan, receiving Indian citizenship today marked the beginning of a new life. When the Minister declared, “Keep smiling… from now on, you are a citizen of the great country of India,” the crowd responded with enthusiastic chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”

Highlighting the atrocities faced by minority Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and others in Pakistan, the Minister said, “Listening to the suffering of these displaced people can bring tears to anyone’s eyes and give goosebumps. Some sisters lost their husbands; others had to flee from burning homes. They endured such hardships for years, and I salute their resilience.”

He also shared the story of a doctor’s daughter who, after completing her medical studies in Pakistan, faced persecution and was forced to flee with her family. “These people of Indian origin have now become citizens of this great country, guided by the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’” he said proudly.

Praising India’s inclusiveness, the Minister said, “India is a country where all religions are respected, and where human dignity is upheld. Today, when the world talks about human rights, people should come to India and Gujarat to see what it truly means. But why are minority Hindus still subjected to cruelty and persecution in Pakistan?” he questioned.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Minister said, “Through the CAA, they have worked to save many lives.”

He further asked the administration to ensure that those who have received Indian citizenship also benefit from various government schemes. Addressing the new citizens warmly, he added, “You may have left relatives behind in Pakistan, but here, we are all with you—we are your family now. Your children will have equal opportunities to progress in India.”

The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel and the Government of Gujarat for granting them citizenship. DeshGujarat