New Delhi, July 8
Indian citizenship for them still appears to be miles away. Though they have crossed international border to be in India, they still continue remain Pakistani nationals.

This is the plight of 3000-odd Pakistani families living in Bhati Mines area near the Delhi-Haryana border, who left their homes in Pakistan to escape religious persecution.

But their Pakistani antecedents and the inordinate delay in granting them Indian citizenship have only resulted in untold misery for them as the adult members fail to get decent jobs.

Living in so shanties with hardly any civic amenities these families, struggle to get even two square meals, are still hoping against hope that the Indian Government would grant them citizenship which in turn will bring in the much-needed respite.

“Inordinate delay in acquiring Indian citizenship has pushed many families here into penury as the adult members find it very difficult to get decent jobs due to their Pakistani antecedents,” 60-year-old Kunj Devi, mother of five, told The Tribune.

A native of Kherpur village in Sindh Province, Kunj Devi along with her two sons fled Pakistan way back in 1991 and they still are awaiting grant of Indian citizenship by the Government.

Narrating her day-to-day problems, Kunj Devi says that her family has no money even to pay fee for the extension of the Long Term Visa once it expires at the end of this year.

“Moreover, since this Long Term Visa is specifically issued for Delhi, we can’t move to other parts of the country in search of a better living,” she laments.

Despite the economic hardship Kunj Devi feels happy for being able to escape religious discrimination in Pakistan.

As this correspondent passed through the village there were several families complaining about inordinate delay and the red-tape in granting citizenship.

Simultaneously, people like Khem Chand (name changed), who are awaiting citizenship for over a decade now have found a different way to legitimise their stay here.

The Tribune came across at least two families, who have managed to procure Election Commission’s Voter Identity Cards and ration cards.

Khem Chand claims to have voted in 1999 Lok Sabha elections. He regretfully adds that the politicians, who paint rosy pictures prior to the elections do precious little afterwards to help the families, who are running from pillar to post for citizenship.

“We have left Pakistan for ever and now India is our home,” he says.

Home Ministry officials refuted the allegations that there was “inordinate” delay in the issue of citizenship.

“Certain procedures need to be followed before the citizenship application is approved and there is no delay from our side,” a Home Ministry official said. There is a lengthy procedure. As and when a person applies for citizenship, the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate sends the application for police verification.

In Delhi, the verification is done by the Special Branch of the Delhi Police. Once the verification is done the application is forwarded to Home Ministry where a decision on granting citizenship is taken.

Lack of awareness on the part of people seeking citizenship also causes delay. Those who want citizenship are required to surrender their foreign passports. But most of the Pakistanis don’t do so thinking that once their long-term visa expires they automatically would be eligible for citizenship, the official said.