Fri Jan 17 16:05:48 UTC 2025: ## Madurai High Court Orders Centre to Decide on Sri Lankan Tamil Refugee’s Citizenship Plea

**Madurai, Tamil Nadu, January 17, 2025** – The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Indian government to expedite its decision on a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee’s application for Indian citizenship. Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan ordered the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to consider the application of Mathine, a petitioner who arrived in India in 1984 at the age of 9, within 12 weeks.

Mathine, born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 1975, fled to India with her family during the ethnic conflict. They entered India using her father’s Sri Lankan identity certificate and have resided in the country ever since. She claims her parents, Indian-origin Tamils, were denied Sri Lankan citizenship and lived as stateless individuals.

Mathine applied for Indian citizenship under Section 5(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act in 2022. While her application was received by the Ministry of Home Affairs, no further action was taken, prompting her to petition the court. She argues that she has lived peacefully in India for 40 years and fulfills all the requirements for citizenship under the Act. The court has now mandated a decision within 12 weeks, ensuring a timely resolution to her long-standing plea for citizenship.

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