Assam CM Sarma Says Only 3 Foreigners Got Indian Citizenship Under CAA in State

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday clarified that only three foreigners have so far been given Indian citizenship in Assam under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) out of 12 total applications. He said fears about a large number of foreigners getting citizenship are not true. The chief minister made these remarks after the central government issued a notification under the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, which extends the stay of certain non-Muslim immigrants in India till March 31, 2024.

Details of the Central Notification

According to the order, some people and carriers are now exempt from the usual requirements of valid passports, visas, and travel papers. This applies to minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who came to India because of religious persecution or fear of it. These people entered India on or before December 31, 2024, either without proper travel documents or with papers whose validity has expired.

Exemptions for Sri Lankan Tamil Nationals

The notification adds that the provisions of sections 3(1), (2) and (3) of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 will not be applicable to Sri Lankan Tamil nationals who are registered and had sought refuge in India up to January 9, 2015. This announcement has created protests by various groups, who accuse the BJP government of trying to give citizenship to Hindu Bengali migrants from Bangladesh.

CM Counters Opposition Claims

To calm the unrest, Mr. Sarma told reporters that only three people have been granted citizenship under the CAA in Assam so far and the rest of the nine applications are still being considered. He accused the opposition of stirring up needless controversies about the CAA. “There was a big claim that 20-25 lakh people would get citizenship in Assam. Now you can see we have received only 12 applications,” he said. The CAA gives Indian citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, after staying for five years. The new notification extends the shelter deadline for non-Muslim immigrants to December 31, 2024.