Congress, BJP clash over Assam’s move on granting citizenship under 1955 Act

A political slugfest has broken out over the ruling BJP government’s two-month order in which it asked the deputy commissioners to grant Indian citizenship under sections 5 & 6 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, to all legal migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the time of granting initial long-term visas (LTV) or while extending LTVs.

Ahead of the assembly elections in Assam, Parijat Bhuyan, deputy secretary, Assam, Political (B) Department, in a communication dated March 19 to the deputy commissioners, superintendent of police, foreigners registration officers, stated: “I am directed to enclose herewith a copy of the letter along with its enclosures pertaining to provisions relating to the grant of Indian citizenship to migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the time of grant of Long Term Visas (LTV)”.

“You are requested to furnish a copy of the enclosed note containing the provisions relating to grant of Indian citizenship under sections 5 & 6 of The Citizenship Act, 1955, to all such legal migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan at the time of grant of initial LTV/extension of LTV. It is further requested that the provisions as indicated in the enclosed note may also be displayed on the websites of the DC/DCP/FRO/SPs concerned”.


Assam BJP spokesperson, Rupam Goswami said that Citizenship is a central subject. “Earlier Centre has issued necessary orders; Assam government order is merely a formality. We do not do anything through backdoor.”