Minority Refugees Can Stay in India Without Passports
The Indian government has issued a new exemption under the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025. Members of six minority communities—Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India on or before 31 December 2024 can stay in the country without valid passports or travel documents. They will not face legal proceedings under the Immigration and Foreigners Act.
Communities Covered Under the Order
The notification covers minorities who fled religious persecution in their home countries. It clarifies that the measure does not grant Indian citizenship. Citizenship applications continue to be governed by the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which applies to migrants who entered India before December 31, 2014.
Legal Framework and Extension
While the CAA created a pathway for specific groups to seek citizenship, this new order expands protection by exempting those who arrived up to December 2024 from documentation requirements. It provides relief from deportation or detention but stops short of offering naturalization rights.
Response and Concerns
The announcement has been welcomed by refugee groups who struggled with expired or invalid documents. However, it has also triggered protests in Assam and other northeastern states, where local groups fear the demographic impact of allowing more settlers. Officials have stated that the order is limited in scope and applies only to clearly identified minority groups.
