Indian Updates

21 Aug - Indian Updates - DC Powers For Citizenship, Sajjan Kumar Demise & Diplomatic Standoff - Pritam Singh Rupal

Aug 21, 2026 - 13:12

Host:-

Pritam Singh Rupal

Ranjodh Singh

Radio Haanji's Indian Updates covers DC powers for citizenship, Sajjan Kumar's demise, NDMC action at Pakistan High Commission, and SC NEET protest committee.

In this episode of Indian Updates on Radio Haanji, host Ranjodh Singh and analyst Pritam Singh Rupal dissect critical current affairs from India and South Asia. The discussion covers the Ministry of Home Affairs empowering Deputy Commissioners across six states to grant citizenship certificates to non-Muslim minority migrants, the demolition of temporary structures outside the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, the custodial death of 1984 riot convict Sajjan Kumar at Safdarjung Hospital, the Supreme Court-appointed five-member committee investigating police action during NEET student protests, and the commemoration of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal's 41st death anniversary in Punjab.

Citizenship Powers Delegated to Deputy Commissioners: The Central Government authorized DCs across six states—including Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and West Bengal—to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minority migrants (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Christians) from neighboring countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
Tensions Involving Diplomatic Missions: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) demolished temporary waiting structures outside the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, following Pakistan’s removal of parking poles outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
Death of 1984 Riots Convict Sajjan Kumar: Former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, serving a life sentence in Tihar Jail for his involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, died at Safdarjung Hospital due to health complications while his parole application was pending before the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Inquiry on NEET Protests: A five-member committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice R. Subhash Reddy—including former CBI and police officials—was constituted to investigate alleged police excessive force and pellet gun usage during student protests in Delhi.
Commemoration of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal: The 41st death anniversary of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal was observed by various political and religious factions in Longowal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What power has been given to Deputy Commissioners regarding Indian citizenship?

The central government has empowered District Magistrates and Deputy Commissioners across six states to directly process applications and issue Indian citizenship certificates to eligible non-Muslim minority migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

Why were structures demolished outside the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi?

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) removed temporary waiting sheds outside the Pakistan High Commission as part of an anti-encroachment action, which followed Pakistani authorities removing parking poles outside the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

Who was Sajjan Kumar and what was his involvement in the 1984 riots?

Sajjan Kumar was a former Congress Member of Parliament convicted for his role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He was serving a life sentence in Tihar Jail before passing away in hospital due to health complications.

Who is heading the Supreme Court inquiry committee into the NEET student protests?

The five-member High-Powered Enquiry Committee investigating police action and crowd control methods during student protests is led by retired Supreme Court Justice R. Subhash Reddy.

Which anniversary of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal was observed?

The 41st death anniversary (Barsi) of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal was observed across various religious and political quarters in Longowal, Punjab.