JANAKPURDHAM, June 26: Indrajit Safi, who had endured the hardships of being a non-citizen child with Nepali citizen parents, can finally celebrate as he overcomes his citizenship struggle in Kathmandu. On Sunday, Indrajit proudly shared his joy with the District Administration Office Dhanusha, where he received his Nepali citizenship certificate through a celebratory procession.
Not only Indrajit but also his four brothers acquired their citizenship certificates on the same day. After leading the Citizenship Struggle Committee for an extended period without citizenship, Indrajit and his brothers have been granted citizenship based on their descent, courtesy the District Administration Office, Dhanusha.
Indrajit, hailing from Ganeshman Charnath Municipality-4, Bharatpur, in Dhanusha, finally obtained Nepali citizenship at the age of 31. The four sons of Sonawati, including the eldest, 31-year-old Indrajit Safi, 29-year-old Ranjit Safi, 22-year-old Chhotu Safi, and 21-year-old Rabin Safi, were all provided citizenship certificates by the District Administration Office, Dhanusha. Chief District Officer Kashiraj Dahal presented them with their citizenship certificates, marking a significant milestone in their lives.
Indrajit Safi, after receiving his Nepali citizenship, expressed immense joy as he finally felt like a true citizen of his country. "I am extremely delighted to be recognized as a Nepali citizen," he exclaimed. "Now, I can actively contribute to my nation." His father, Bikram Dhobi, was able to obtain citizenship based on his birth, while his mother, Sonawati, acquired citizenship through descent. However, despite being eligible, 31-year-old Indrajit was left in a state of limbo as a "non-citizen."
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Indrajit did make efforts to obtain citizenship under his mother's name. Although the country's constitution and laws grant citizenship through the mother's lineage, the process proved to be futile. "Even when we approached the Chief District Officer (CDO), they insisted on verifying my father's citizenship," he revealed. "My father holds citizenship by birth. Although the constitution mandates granting citizenship to first-generation children, the CDO rejected my application, citing the absence of specific legislation."
The absence of a comprehensive citizenship law caused significant hardships for Indrajit. He faced repeated humiliation within his own country due to his lack of citizenship.
Reflecting on his journey, Indrajit shared the hardships he faced while pursuing his engineering studies in India after completing Class 12. The lack of a citizenship certificate subjected him to abuse and mistreatment on the streets. Recounting a distressing incident in Delhi, he revealed that Indian police even arrested him, unjustly labeling him a terrorist due to his citizenship status. Only after presenting his college certificate could he secure his release. To travel to India without citizenship, he resorted to purchasing train tickets under others' names, constantly grappling with the inconvenience of lacking proper identification.
Indrajit's experiences serve as a stark reminder of how life becomes immensely challenging when individuals are left stateless, despite possessing abilities and qualifications. However, following the Supreme Court's clearance for the implementation of the citizenship bill approved by President Ram Chandra Paudel, not only Indrajit and his brothers but also many others have successfully obtained their long-awaited citizenship certificates.
Piyush Agarwal, a 19-year-old resident of Siraha Municipality, had dreams of pursuing a career in pharmacy after completing his 12th standard. Unfortunately, the lack of citizenship halted his academic aspirations, forcing him to remain at home while assisting his father, Santosh, in their pharmaceutical business. While Piyush's mother obtained citizenship through descent, his father's citizenship was acquired by birth, leaving Piyush ineligible for citizenship.
However, with the recent ratification of the citizenship bill, Piyush became the first recipient of a citizenship certificate from the District Administration Office in Siraha on Sunday. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, "My dream of studying pharmacy is now a reality!"
Santosh, Piyush's father, expressed gratitude for the government's decision, recognizing that it would enable many children, including his son, to fulfill their aspirations. On the same day, the District Administration Office in Siraha issued citizenship certificates to 41 individuals based on their birth certificates.
The recent Supreme Court order, which paved the way for implementing the Ministry of Home Affairs' decision to grant immediate citizenship to children born to citizen parents, has brought great joy to the Madhesh province.
