Karnataka PRC Move: BJP Alleges Benefit to Illegal Immigrants; State Denies Citizenship Link

The Karnataka BJP president, B.Y. Vijayendra, has alleged that the state government's decision to issue Permanent Residence Certificates (PRCs) during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a 'devious strategy to protect illegal immigrants and consolidate its vote-bank'. He announced that the party would challenge the move.

Mr. Vijayendra argued that the power to prepare the National Register of Citizens (NRC) or issue PRCs lies with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, which determines citizenship. However, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara dismissed the allegation, stating that a state government cannot grant citizenship and that a PRC is not equivalent to citizenship. He emphasised that the Revenue Department issues PRCs after verifying necessary documents.

'The question of Bangladeshis does not arise here. Citizenship is a national issue. Can a state government grant citizenship to Bangladeshi nationals? There are specific legal provisions in cases where a Bangladeshi national marries an Indian citizen. Apart from such legally defined circumstances, the state government cannot grant citizenship to Bangladeshis or citizens of any other country,' the Deputy Chief Minister said.

Mr. Parameshwara also noted that even caste certificates are issued by the state government, and the Union government has not issued such certificates. He accused the BJP of politicising the issue.

Mr. Vijayendra accused the Congress of double standards, pointing out that the Congress opposed the Centre's NRC exercise but now issues PRCs. He said he would convene a meeting of the BJP's legal team to challenge the move, calling it 'patently unconstitutional and illogical'.

The article clarifies that a Permanent Residence Certificate is not a citizenship document. It is a state-issued certificate that confirms a person's long-term association with the state, with the Tahsildar as the competent authority. Unlike a regular residence certificate, a PRC requires stronger proof, such as having lived in the state for several years, studying in Karnataka for more than six years, parents residing in the state, property ownership, or other documents showing a long-standing link. These requirements make PRCs more stringent than ordinary residence certificates. However, the certificate does not determine citizenship, which is governed by the Indian Citizenship Act and falls under the Union government's jurisdiction.