The central government has stated in Parliament that in the last five years, between 2017 and 2021, more than six lakh Indians gave up their citizenship.Union Home Minister Nithyananda Roy said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha that in 2017 1,33,049 Indians had renounced their citizenship.
In 2017 1,34,561 Indians, in 2019 1,44,017 Indians, in 2020 85,248 Indians and by September 30, 2021, 1,12,187 Indians renounced their citizenship.
The Union Minister told the Lok Sabha that eligible persons under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) can apply for citizenship after notifying the regulations.
During 2016-2020, 10,645 people applied for Indian citizenship, and 4177 were granted citizenship, the Union Minister said.
A total of 2262 people applied in 2016, 855 people in 2017, 1758 people in 2018, 4224 people in 2019 and 1546 people in 2020 for Indian citizenship.
Most of the applicants for Indian citizenship are Pakistani nationals, said the Union Minister.
A total of 7782 people from Pakistan, 795 from Afghanistan, 227 from the US, 184 from Bangladesh, 167 from Kenya and 185 from India applied for Indian citizenship.
The number of Indians living abroad is 33,83,718, said Union Minister Nithyananda Roy.However, it remains to be known regarding the whereabouts of those six lakh Indians who gave up their Indian citizenship.
