Aadhaar, PAN, Ration Card No Longer Proof of Citizenship: Delhi Police Issues New Guidelines
Delhi Police, following directives from the Central Government, has announced that Aadhaar, PAN, and ration cards will no longer be accepted as proof of Indian citizenship. This decision aims to curb the misuse of these documents by illegal immigrants, with only voter ID cards and passports now recognized as valid citizenship documents.
By New Delhi Post Correspondent, New Delhi:
New Citizenship Verification Rules
Delhi Police has clarified that Aadhaar, PAN, and ration cards cannot be used to prove Indian citizenship. Instead, only voter ID cards or Indian passports will be accepted as valid documents. This decision comes after a verification drive initiated in October 2024 revealed that many illegal immigrants, particularly Bangladeshi and Rohingya individuals, were using these documents to falsely claim Indian citizenship. A senior police officer stated that the new guideline was issued on the instructions of the Central Government to ensure accurate identification of Indian citizens.
Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants
The police have intensified their campaign against illegal immigrants, with instructions to all district DCPs to increase surveillance on suspicious individuals. The drive, which began last year, uncovered that many undocumented foreigners possessed Aadhaar, PAN, ration cards, and even UNHCR-issued cards, complicating citizenship verification. The operation will continue until every illegal immigrant is deported. In Delhi alone, around 3,500 Pakistani nationals reside, including 520 Muslims, of whom over 400 have already been sent back via the Attari border.
Tighter Visa Regulations for Pakistani Nationals
Following a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Central Government revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, except for medical, diplomatic, and long-term visas (LTV). Medical visas will also be deemed invalid after April 29, 2025. Delhi Police and intelligence agencies have been directed to gather information on Pakistani citizens in Delhi and ensure their prompt departure. However, Pakistani Hindus holding long-term visas will remain unaffected, as clarified by the government.
Context of Rising Tensions
The new measures reflect heightened tensions with Pakistan, particularly after the Pahalgam attack. The government’s focus on deporting illegal immigrants and tightening citizenship verification underscores its broader strategy to address national security concerns. Critics, however, argue that restricting citizenship proof to voter IDs and passports may create challenges for genuine Indian citizens who lack these documents, especially in marginalized communities.
