Archive · 26 Jul 2025
Bengali Man Asked to Prove Indian Citizenship in Assam
A man in his 70s is being asked to prove he is an Indian citizen by a special court in Assam.
This is because he was once suspected of being from Bangladesh.
The court doesn't accept his current ID or land documents.
He now has to find old documents to prove his father was an Indian voter.
Some politicians say this is part of a larger effort that could make it hard for poor people to prove they are citizens.
A 75-year-old Bengali resident was asked by an Assam tribunal to prove Indian citizenship.
He was detained in Assam 26 years ago and suspected of being an undocumented Bangladeshi national.
The tribunal rejected documents like land ownership and voter ID as proof.
He was asked to provide documents proving his father was an Indian voter.
The opposition claims the exercise is to disenfranchise poor people.
- Who
- Nishikant Das, the Foreigners Tribunal, and the opposition.
- What
- A Bengali resident is required to prove Indian citizenship.
- When
- The notice was issued recently, the detainment happened 26 years ago, and the court is reviewing the case now.
- Where
- Assam, India.
- Why
- To determine if he is a citizen, given previous suspicion.
Opposition Parties
Indian Government
Motivation
Opposition Parties
The exercise aims to disenfranchise poor people lacking sufficient documentation.
Indian Government
The Indian government has not provided an official statement.
- Individual involved
- Nishikant Das
- Age
- 75
- Issue
- Citizenship verification
- Location of Tribunal
- Assam, India
- Original Detention
- 26 years prior
