In a landmark development under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 185 individuals who migrated from Pakistan were formally granted Indian citizenship at a special ceremony held at Atmiya University in Rajkot on Thursday.
The recipients, hailing from districts including Kutch, Morbi, and Rajkot, received their citizenship certificates during a government-organised camp led by the Rajkot district administration under the direction of District Collector Dr Om Prakash.
The event was attended by Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, who personally handed over the certificates. Addressing an emotionally charged gathering, Sanghavi described the moment as a &ldquo;turning point&rdquo; in the lives of the beneficiaries. &ldquo;Keep smiling&hellip; from now on, you are citizens of the great country of India,&rdquo; he declared, prompting the crowd to erupt in chants of &ldquo;Bharat Mata Ki Jai.&rdquo;
<h3 data-start="1138" data-end="1180">&lsquo;Their Strength Deserves Deep Respect&rsquo;</h3>
Reflecting on the struggles faced by religious minorities in Pakistan, Sanghavi described harrowing journeys endured by many of the new citizens. &ldquo;Some women lost their husbands, others were driven from burning homes. The suffering they went through can bring tears to anyone&rsquo;s eyes and leave you with goosebumps. Their strength deserves deep respect,&rdquo; he said.
He also cited the example of a young woman who completed her medical education in Pakistan but had to flee with her family due to religious persecution. &ldquo;Now, guided by the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, these people of Indian origin have become citizens of a nation that truly embraces them,&rdquo; Sanghavi said.
<h3 data-start="1873" data-end="1915">India&rsquo;s Inclusive Identity Highlighted</h3>
Drawing a stark comparison between India and Pakistan, the Minister emphasized India's commitment to pluralism. &ldquo;India is a land where every faith is honoured and human dignity is safeguarded. If the world wishes to understand true human rights, they must look to India and Gujarat. But why does the persecution of minority Hindus in Pakistan continue to go unnoticed globally?&rdquo; he asked.
Sanghavi credited the implementation of the CAA to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. &ldquo;Through this legislation, countless lives have been saved,&rdquo; he said, urging local authorities to ensure all newly recognized citizens are given access to government welfare schemes. &ldquo;Though you may have left loved ones behind in Pakistan, you are no longer alone here. We are your family now. Your children will grow and thrive in India with the same opportunities as anyone else,&rdquo; Sanghavi added.
<h3 data-start="2861" data-end="2894">Stories of Longing and Relief</h3>
Among those who received their citizenship certificates was Laxmi, who arrived in India in 2011. &ldquo;It feels good to finally be acknowledged as an Indian. Life here is safer and more stable than what we knew back in Pakistan. Many of my relatives are still there, and they too wish to come back,&rdquo; she said.
Labh Hurbai, who migrated in 2015, echoed her sentiments. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a world of difference between the two countries. I&rsquo;m grateful to be here, and I hope my family in Pakistan will also get this chance,&rdquo; he said.
Bhavana Maheshwari, now settled in Rajkot, shared the emotional weight of the occasion. &ldquo;I went through a lot in Pakistan. Today, after years of hardship, I can finally say with pride that I am Indian.&rdquo;
Champa Khambhala, from Morbi, spoke of the suppression of religious freedom in Pakistan. &ldquo;In Pakistan, Hindus aren&rsquo;t even free to celebrate their festivals. Life in India is much more dignified. I only hope that my relatives still in Pakistan will someday be able to join us here.&rdquo;
<h3 data-start="3929" data-end="3946">About the CAA</h3>
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was passed in 2019 and amends the Citizenship Act of 1955. It provides a pathway to Indian citizenship for non-Muslim minorities (Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians) from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. Applicants are required to provide proof of origin, religion, entry date, and proficiency in an Indian language under Section 6B of the Act.
Thursday&rsquo;s event in Rajkot is among the largest citizenship distribution drives conducted in Gujarat since the CAA rules were notified earlier this year.

185 Pakistani Migrants Get Indian Citizenship

Gujarat grants citizenship under CAA, Minister Sanghavi calls it a turning point moment

185 Pakistani Migrants Get Indian Citizenship

Gujarat grants citizenship under CAA, Minister Sanghavi calls it a turning point moment

July 26, 2025 | 14:38 IST