PANAJI: Brenden Valentine Crasto, a Pakistani-born Roman Catholic residing in Anjuna since 2006, became the third Pakistani national in Goa to be granted Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Chief Minister Pramod Sawant handed over the citizenship certificate to him today.
Crasto, married to Goan citizen Merilyn Fernandes since 2014, is the grandson of Goans who had moved to Pakistan before India’s independence in 1947. When his parents returned to Goa in 1981, they lost their Indian citizenship rights, though they continued living on their ancestral property.
Expressing his gratitude, Crasto said, “I am very thankful to the CAA, the Goa government, the National Commission for Minorities and the central government for giving me citizenship. I waited a long time. We came back to Goa in 1981, and after 44 years, I have got my citizenship. I am very grateful to all.”
CM Sawant called the occasion “a matter of pride” and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ensuring that minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, including Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians, can reclaim citizenship rights in India.
“This is the third citizenship granted in Goa under CAA. After years of struggle, Brenden has finally got his citizenship. His wife and children are happy today, and so are we,” Sawant said.
The Chief Minister added that three individuals in Goa have so far been granted citizenship under CAA, while one more application is pending.
