The Delhi Police has made it clear that Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and ration cards will no longer be accepted as valid proof of Indian citizenship. According to a senior police official, only a Voter ID card or an Indian passport will now serve as acceptable proof. This decision comes after the central government issued instructions based on findings from a verification campaign that began last October.
Campaign Against Illegal Immigrants Intensifies
The verification campaign, which aimed to identify illegal foreign nationals in the city, revealed that many foreign nationals, particularly Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, had been falsely claiming Indian citizenship. They had been using Aadhaar, PAN, and ration cards, which had made it increasingly difficult for authorities to differentiate between legitimate Indian citizens and illegal immigrants. In response, the Delhi Police has now made it mandatory for individuals to provide either a Voter ID card or an Indian passport as proof of citizenship. These measures were implemented to address the rising issue of illegal immigrants possessing various official documents, including Aadhaar cards and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards.
Action Against Pakistani Nationals in Delhi
In addition to the changes in citizenship verification procedures, the Delhi Police has stepped up its action against Pakistani nationals residing in the capital. It has been revealed that around 3,500 Pakistani citizens currently live in Delhi, with approximately 520 Muslims among them. More than 400 of these individuals have already returned to Pakistan through the Attari border. Following a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the central government has decided to cancel the visas of Pakistani nationals residing in India, except for those holding medical, diplomatic, or long-term visas (LTV). However, medical visas will no longer be valid after April 29.
Delhi Police, along with intelligence agencies, has been instructed to gather information on all Pakistani nationals living in the city. Immediate orders are being issued for their departure, and the government has clarified that long-term visas for Hindu Pakistani citizens will remain valid. These stringent measures are part of ongoing efforts to secure the nation and address the issue of illegal immigration.
