(Image source from: Glocal Gallivanting)

Any person applying for Indian citizenship will have to declare one's religion from now on.

The Centre has made this obligatory through home ministry norms notified on the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2018, on October 18.

The new rules have added a column 'religion' in each form that requires to be filled by a person applying for Indian citizenship by registration. A person who applied for Indian citizenship up till now did not require to provide information on religion.

The changes have been made in the Schedule I of Citizenship Rules, 2009.

According to new rules, any person of Indian-origin, while seeking citizenship for a person wedded to an Indian citizen, a child born out of the country to Indian citizens, a person whose parents is registered as Indian citizens and a person whose either parent has been a citizen of independent India will have to make the statement.

However, the home ministry said the amendments on religion were applicable merely for minorities in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who seek Indian citizenship. "It would not be appropriate to interpolate that anyone seeking citizenship needs to declare a religion. Earlier, notifications were issued in 2014 and 2016 on the issue, but it has been inserted in Citizenship Rules this time," a home ministry spokesperson said in response to an ET query. However, there is no mention of the three countries in the amended rules.

What makes the declaration of religion for citizenship is important as the Citizenship Amendment Bill is pending for passage in Parliament. The bill makes 'refugees' belonging to minority religions in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan eligible for Indian citizenship. The draft legislation is being observed by a joint parliamentary committee and has drawn opposition amongst numerous groups in most northeast states, apart from criticism for linking citizenship to religion.

The Citizenship Act, 1955, does not have any mention of religion. The Act has citizenship by birth, descent, registration, and naturalization. The Act is based on the principle of 'birth within the territory' and there is not a single mention of religion.

Citizenship Rules of 2009 as well does not have a single requirement of providing religion.

-Sowmya Sangam