No prosecution of minorities entering India after 2014: MHA

In a gazette notification Tuesday, the government has exempted minorities facing persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan from prosecution under the Immigration and Foreigners Act if they have entered India before December 31, 2024.

The Citizenship Amendment Act-2019 sets a deadline of December 31, 2014, for these minorities to  acquire Indian citizenship. The notification comes as a relief to a large number of people, especially Hindus from Pakistan, who crossed over to India after 2014. An MHA official, however, said this is not an extension for CAA deadline, which can only be done through an amendment passed by Parliament. “This is for those who have entered India after 2014 and are seeking long-term visas,” an official said.