Abstract

The recognition of minorities in the present state system is essential for their existence. While, majoritarian identity groups are routinely getting the recognition from various institutions of the state but it is not done for the multiplicity of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. The states at times are not in a position to acknowledge the existence of these minority groups and over the period of time have been excluded from various state institutions and benefits. At the same time, some of these groups are not been given the status of citizens and irrespective of fulfilling the basic conditions to be the citizens of their respective countries, they tend to continue live their life as non-citizens.This paper will highlight one such group of women, are not only being barred from getting citizenship status but also unrecognized by the state and its various agencies. This section of women belongs to Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who are minority within a minority in this country and is one of the most persecuted community in different parts of the world particularly in the South Asian region. This section of women are originally from Pakistan, who got married to the citizens of India many years before but they are still not enjoying the recognition and citizenship rights of this country. At the same time their movement is restricted and are not allowed to travel outside the Qadian town which roughly covers around four kilometers. This paper will look into their predicament of being denying the constitutionally guaranteed rights as other citizens enjoying and how their lives are being affected by the restrictions over their freedom of movement outside the Qadian town.