Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take immediate steps to resolve the citizenship issues faced by approximately 89,000 Sri Lankan Tamils residing in India. The appeal comes amid ongoing concerns over the legal status and welfare of these long-term residents.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Stalin highlighted the difficulties faced by Sri Lankan Tamils who have been living in India for decades without formal citizenship. He stressed the need for urgent action to ensure their basic rights, including access to education, employment, and government welfare schemes.
The Chief Minister pointed out that unresolved citizenship issues not only impact the affected families but also create administrative challenges for state authorities. He called for a streamlined process to provide legal recognition to the community and integrate them fully into Indian society.
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Stalin’s intervention is part of a broader effort by the Tamil Nadu government to safeguard the interests of displaced Sri Lankan Tamils. Over the years, successive state administrations have raised similar concerns at the central level, emphasizing humanitarian obligations and long-standing cultural ties between Tamil Nadu and the Tamil population of Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister’s office has yet to respond publicly to the latest request, though previous measures have included limited issuance of long-term visas and identity documentation. Advocates and civil society groups continue to push for a permanent and comprehensive solution to the citizenship challenges faced by these residents.
As discussions continue, the issue remains a sensitive and politically significant topic in Tamil Nadu, where leaders underscore the importance of protecting vulnerable communities and upholding India’s humanitarian commitments. Resolving the matter could also strengthen bilateral and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka in the process.
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