Assam Woman Receives First Citizenship Certificate Under CAA

A 60-year-old woman from Assam’s Cachar district has become the first person in the state to receive Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Dipali Das, a resident of Hawaithang in the Dholai block, received her citizenship certificate on March 6, ending years of uncertainty over her legal status in India. Her case highlights the practical implementation of the CAA in Assam and the resolution of long-standing citizenship disputes.

Migration from Bangladesh and Citizenship Dispute

Dipali Das reportedly entered India along with her husband on February 7, 1988, after leaving Bangladesh due to alleged persecution. The couple settled in Cachar district and began building their lives in the region. However, the absence of valid documents proving Indian citizenship later brought her under scrutiny.

In 2013, authorities initiated an investigation into her nationality. A police chargesheet stated that she had entered India illegally after March 1971 and was therefore considered a suspected foreign national. This development led to prolonged legal and administrative proceedings regarding her citizenship.

Detention and Release During Pandemic

In 2019, Dipali Das was declared a foreigner and placed in a detention facility in Silchar. She spent nearly two years in the detention camp while her legal status remained unresolved. The situation changed in April 2020 when the Supreme Court directed the release of declared foreigners who had spent more than two years in detention, primarily to reduce overcrowding during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following this directive, Das was released on bail. Despite her release, uncertainty about her citizenship continued to affect her life and family.

Legal Support and Citizenship Approval

After her release, Dipali Das sought assistance from social worker Kamal Chakraborty, who connected her with advocate Dharmananda Deb. The lawyer initiated legal proceedings and prepared an application under the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Interestingly, the earlier police chargesheet confirming her origin in Bangladesh later became crucial evidence in her CAA application. The process eventually resulted in the issuance of her citizenship certificate, formally recognising her as an Indian citizen.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2019.
• The Act provides a pathway to Indian citizenship for persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
• Eligible communities include Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who entered India before December 31, 2014.
• Assam has long faced citizenship verification issues linked to migration and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Relief for Family After Years of Uncertainty

Dipali Das and her husband have six children—one son and five daughters—many of whom have built their lives in India. Their eldest son runs a small business in the Dholai area, while four daughters work in Bengaluru. The youngest daughter continues to live in Cachar after her recent marriage.

The citizenship certificate has brought significant relief to the family. It not only resolves Dipali’s legal status but also helps prevent future complications regarding the citizenship status of her children, who were born in India.