Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 25: Brenden Valentine Crasto, a Roman Catholic originally from Pakistan and a long-time resident of Anjuna, has officially been granted Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), becoming the third person in Goa to receive the status through this route. The citizenship certificate was handed over by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in a formal ceremony.

Crasto, whose roots trace back to Goa through his grandparents who migrated to Pakistan before India’s independence in 1947, had returned to Goa with his parents in 1981. Despite living on ancestral property for over four decades, his citizenship status remained unresolved. Crasto married Goan citizen Merilyn Fernandes in 2014, further solidifying his personal and familial ties to the region.

“I am very thankful to the CAA, the Goa government, the National Commission for Minorities, and the central government for giving me citizenship,” Crasto said after receiving the certificate. “We came back in 1981, and after 44 years, I have finally received what we were waiting for. I am very grateful.”

Chief Minister Sawant praised the moment as one of pride and progress, highlighting the broader significance of the CAA in restoring citizenship rights to persecuted minorities from neighbouring countries. “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,” he stated.

Sawant also noted that one more application under the CAA is currently pending in Goa, and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to implementing the law in coordination with the central government.