SAG silver medallist Siwangi Dube granted Nepali citizenship

By Our Correspondent,Amargadhi (Dadheldhura), Feb. 11: Wrestler Siwangi Dube, along with her brother and sister, has finally been granted naturalised Nepali citizenship after a seven‑year battle with bureaucracy.

The District Administration Office in Dadeldhura issued citizenship certificates to Siwangi, her sister Sandhya and brother Sishank. Chief District Officer Bishnu Prasad Koirala confirmed this was the first time in Dadeldhura that citizenship had been granted in the mother’s name, following the latest legal provision.

Under the fourth amendment to the Nepal Citizenship Act 2063, children of a Nepali mother and foreign father are eligible for naturalised citizenship. Siwangi’s mother, Radhadevi Roka, had first applied in 2076 B.S. when her daughter turned 16, but the process dragged on for seven years. She said her daughter’s education was interrupted because of the lack of citizenship.

Expressing her joy, Radhadevi said, “Now my children’s future is secure.” She explained that despite appeals to the Home Ministry, citizenship through the father’s name was not possible, forcing the family to pursue the mother’s route.

Siwangi herself admitted that being stateless had obstructed her sporting career. “Without citizenship, I could not compete freely or continue my studies. Now I can train and take part in competitions with confidence,” she said, adding that she also plans to resume her education.

Siwangi, who took up wrestling at the age of 15, has already won eight gold medals at national events and secured a silver medal for Nepal at international level. At the 13th South Asian Games, she competed in the 53kg category but lost in the semi‑finals to India’s Pinky Sherawat.

Her father, Raju Dube, is an Indian citizen, while her mother Radhadevi is from Amargadhi Municipality‑5 in Dadeldhura. The family currently live in Bhimdutta Municipality‑3, Kanchanpur, earning their livelihood through labour work.