Home Ministry order favours Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan; Muslims remain excluded
NEW DELHI – In a move that has sparked widespread concern and criticism, the Indian Home Ministry has issued a directive allowing foreign minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan to remain in India without a passport or travel document. However, the policy explicitly excludes Muslims, raising fears of discrimination and the erosion of secular principles in the country.
Activists have criticised the government’s bias, citing discriminatory policies. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has been a focal point of contention, as it fast-tracks asylum claims for non-Muslim immigrants from neighbouring countries. Critics argue that this law legitimises discrimination against Muslims and undermines India’s secular democracy.
According to the official order, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who entered India on or before 31 December 2024 will be allowed to stay without any travel documents. “This policy gives relief to many religious minorities who have faced persecution in their home countries,” said a senior Home Ministry official, requesting anonymity.
The directive marks a significant change from the CAA of 2019, which granted eligibility for citizenship only to non-Muslim minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India on or before 31 December 2014. Under the new rule, those who entered India by 31 December 2024 may remain without a passport or travel document, but this does not automatically confer citizenship.
“The fact that Muslims are excluded from this provision is deeply troubling,” said Ayesha Khan, a human rights activist based in New Delhi. “It sends a clear message that Muslims are being treated differently, which is against the country’s constitutional promise of equality and secularism.”
The CAA was originally introduced to protect minorities fleeing religious persecution. Critics argue that by excluding Muslims, the government risks alienating a significant section of Indian society. “This is a direct form of discrimination. Indian Muslims who have lived peacefully for generations are being ignored, while others get special treatment,” said Farhan Ahmed, a lawyer working on minority rights issues.
The announcement has triggered protests across the country, with thousands gathering in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Demonstrators raised slogans demanding equal rights for all religious groups and warned that such policies could undermine communal harmony. “We cannot accept a law that singles out one community for exclusion,” said Rina Malik, a protest organiser in Delhi.
Experts warn that the exclusion of Muslims could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s social fabric. “By giving preferential treatment to some groups and sidelining others, the government risks creating divisions that can lead to unrest,” said Dr Imran Siddiqui, a political analyst at Jamia Millia Islamia.
The government, however, has defended its decision, arguing that the policy is consistent with existing laws and international practices regarding persecuted minorities. Yet, the silence on Muslims’ inclusion continues to fuel criticism and calls for amendment.
Civil society groups are now demanding an urgent review of the directive. “Excluding Muslims from protections extended to all other minorities is not just unjust; it is unconstitutional,” said Noor Fatima, head of a Delhi-based NGO focusing on minority rights. “India has always been a secular nation, and policies like these threaten that very foundation.”
As the debate intensifies, communities across India are anxiously awaiting clarity on whether the government will amend its approach. In the meantime, Muslim citizens and activists continue to voice their concerns, highlighting the potential marginalisation and legal vulnerabilities they may face.
