Hyderabad: 23-year-old, Syeda was born in Pakistan but has been living in Hyderabad on an extended visa for most of her life. On Tuesday, she wrote to Union home minister Rajnath Singh seeking Indian citizenship. Syeda’s father is an Indian national and her mother was granted Indian citizenship in 2010.
Syeda first applied for citizenship in 2003. Her case was earlier noticed by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, but was rejected saying that the issue falls under the home ministry. In her plea to the home minister Syeda wrote “I am in a limbo. I was born in Pakistan but moved to India with my parents as a child. I cannot work. I cannot study further because that would require me to change my visa.”
Syeda holds a Pakistani passport due to which she missed out on multiple entrance examinations because of travel restrictions. Syeda finished her schooling and college education in Hyderabad. She has been a meritorious student all her life but her entire career and future depends on getting Indian citizenship.
Syeda’s first application was rejected as she was a minor in 2003 and was asked to apply after attaining majority. Subsequently, she was asked to re-apply under different sections.
Her latest application dated March 26, 2010 has been pending since. She gave her third oath of allegiance in August 2014.