With just weeks to go before the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Union government to address the long-pending citizenship and legal status issues faced by roughly 89,000 Sri Lankan Tamils residing in the state. Stalin described the matter as one of “profound humanitarian, constitutional and national importance,” noting that many have lived in India for decades and nearly 40 % were born on Indian soil.”
In his letter, Stalin sought a “humane and pragmatic” resolution, including waiving passport and visa requirements where appropriate for citizenship or long-term visa applications and delegating powers to district-level authorities to expedite processing. He also recommended rescinding administrative instructions that bar consideration of citizenship applications and formally clarifying that those registered and sheltered in India up to January 9, 2015, should not be treated as “illegal migrants.”
The CM pointed to decades of shelter, education and healthcare support provided by successive Tamil Nadu governments, with the concurrence of the Centre, to Sri Lankan Tamils who fled ethnic conflict, underscoring their deep ties to the local community. Only a handful have gained citizenship so far, highlighting limited progress in regularising their status. The move also adds political pressure ahead of elections, as the DMK foregrounds Tamil identity and humanitarian concerns in its campaign messaging.
