In a significant development, the Indian government has officially implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, drawing both praise and scrutiny. Seema Haider, a Pakistani national who entered India illegally with her four children last year and now resides in Greater Noida, expressed her gratitude towards Prime Minister Modi for fulfilling his promise.

Haider, standing alongside her husband Sachin and their children, hailed the implementation of the CAA, believing it would pave the way for her Indian citizenship. However, it’s worth noting that she may not directly benefit from the act, which primarily targets undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who arrived in India before December 31, 2014.

Expressing her thanks in a video message, Haider also acknowledged the efforts of her advocate AP Singh, anticipating that her citizenship-related hurdles would soon be resolved under the new law. Singh, in turn, welcomed the government’s decision, emphasizing its significance for individuals from persecuted religious minorities in neighboring countries.

Haider’s journey from Pakistan’s Sindh province to Greater Noida grabbed headlines last year when she was discovered living with her now-husband Sachin Meena. Her Pakistani husband Ghulam Haider has recently sought custody of their children through legal channels in India.

The implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act comes after four years since its passage by Parliament, with the government now poised to grant Indian nationality to non-Muslim migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The rules have been notified with immediate effect, according to a Gazette notification.

The move holds significance as it precedes the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, underscoring the government’s commitment to its electoral promises and its stance on issues related to immigration and citizenship.