India to provide shelter to religious minorities from three countries

The Indian government has announced that it will provide shelter to non-Muslim religious minorities fleeing religious persecution from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, even if they lack valid travel documents.

In a recent notification, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs stated that Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from the three neighboring countries who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, will be allowed to remain in the country, regardless of whether they possess valid passports or visas. No legal action will be taken against such individuals under immigration laws.

According to Indian media, the move is being interpreted as an extension of the government's policy to protect persecuted minorities in the region. Although the notification does not mention citizenship, it aligns with the spirit of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed in 2019, which provided a pathway to Indian citizenship for similar groups who had entered India before 2014.

Political analysts note that the timing of the announcement is significant, as state assembly elections are scheduled in 2025 in West Bengal and Assam—both regions with substantial populations of refugees and migrants. Indian news outlet Anandabazar Patrika reported that the decision could be politically motivated to influence the upcoming polls.

The move has drawn criticism from opposition parties. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Indian National Congress have both raised concerns, warning that such policies may deepen communal divisions, particularly in sensitive border states like West Bengal.

While the notification emphasizes humanitarian grounds, opposition leaders argue that the decision selectively excludes Muslim minorities and may be used as a tool for political gain.

The Indian government has not yet clarified whether those allowed to stay under the new directive will eventually be granted citizenship.