MEA to issue Indian passports to Tibetan refugees
Accepting the September 2016 verdict that nationality of Tibetans, born in India between 1950-87, cannot be questioned under the Citizenship Act, the government will now issue Indian passports to all such Tibetan refugees. The policy change came into effect since Mar'17, to the joy of thousands of Tibetan refugees. The MEA has directed passport offices to begin processing applications for the same.
MEA: Cannot violate Citizenship Act
Announcing the policy change, the MEA clarified that under India's Citizenship Act, all Tibetan refugees born between 1950-87 have to be treated as citizens by birth.
What was the case earlier?
Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs used to handle citizenship requests by Tibetan refugees. This used to be done on a case by case basis. Several requests were frequently denied, despite the refugees having other identity documents including voter cards, residence permits and identity certificates. The Delhi High Court ordered that all Tibetan refugees born in India be granted citizenship.
