Sat Dec 27 18:05:03 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu, India, are requesting a special policy intervention to address the citizenship status of individuals born in refugee camps or to refugee-Indian citizen couples. The current legal framework deems children of even one “illegal migrant” parent as illegal migrants, creating a situation where individuals born as Indian citizens can later be denied citizenship due to their parents’ refugee status. This situation is leading to denied passports, exclusion from voting rights, and potential generational injustice. They are seeking coordinated action between the central and state governments to create a more humane legal framework that considers the historical context of their situation.
News Article:
Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in Tamil Nadu Seek Policy Intervention on Citizenship
CHENNAI, December 27, 2025 – Following the recent improvements in housing and amenities provided to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu, the refugee community is now urging for a special policy intervention to address ongoing citizenship issues. Speaking from a rehabilitation camp in Tirupattur district, N. Saravanan emphasized the need for coordinated action between the central and state governments, including a focused electoral roll revision and a more humane legal framework.
The primary concern centers on the legal status of children born to refugee parents or to refugee-Indian citizen couples. Under the current framework, even if one parent is classified as an “illegal migrant,” the child is also deemed one, even if that child might be considered a citizen by birth. This has resulted in cases where individuals born as Indian citizens are later denied citizenship due to their parents’ refugee status, particularly impacting those born after December 4, 2004.
Mr. Saravanan cited examples of individuals born in refugee camps, initially recognized as Indian citizens, who later face citizenship denial due to administrative transfers, lack of awareness about their rights, and marriage to fellow refugees. He argued that these cases are not the result of fraud but rather stem from administrative inaction and a lack of legal guidance.
The situation has led to a backlog of passport applications, despite favorable court orders, due to adverse police verification reports. An estimated 3,000 to 8,000 people are affected, including those born as Indian citizens, Sri Lankan Tamils married to Indians, and their children. The community argues that without a “clear and inclusive” policy framework, they will continue to be excluded from democratic participation, as most adult members are first-time voters with no prior electoral history.
Refugee advocates warn that continued reliance on prolonged litigation will only shift the burden to future generations, turning the unresolved citizenship question into a “permanent and generational injustice.” They are appealing for immediate and comprehensive policy intervention to rectify the situation and ensure the rights of this vulnerable population.
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