Dt – 3rd February 2015
Recently, India rolled out the red carpet,
calling out to NRIs all over the world, urging them to visit their
homeland. The atmosphere was vibrant and the mood, nostalgic. The
Non-resident Indians residing abroad, however, need more than that. The
overseas Indian community is estimated at over 25 million and is spread
across every major region in the world. To feel truly welcome and
“Indian”, the proposed dual citizenship needs to become a reality.
The dual citizenship proposal was strongly backed
by the BJP when it was in opposition. Way back in 2011, Mr Nitin
Gadkari, the then BJP President while on a visit to London, spoke in
favour of dual citizenship and issued a press release on the same. “We
are for dual citizenship to be given to non-resident Indians. That is an
assurance made by former Prime Minister Mr A.B. Vajpayee.”
After coming into power, the Bharatiya Janata
Party led majority government is yet to fulfil its proudly made promise.
Developed countries like US, UK and Australia offer it to their
citizens. Besides, even neighbouring countries like Pakistan and
Bangladesh offers dual citizenship with selected nations. It seems like
a long wait to see India following example of major democracies across
the globe and open the doors to its citizens settled abroad.
The UK-based campaigning organisation the HSMP
Forum that works for the rights of Indians and other non-European
immigrants in the UK urged the Indian government to honor its commitment
by passing necessary dual citizenship legislation. The HSMP Forum has
been relentlessly campaigning for dual citizenship. Mr Amit Kapadia,
executive director of the HSMP Forum recently visited India in January
2015 to find out if the ruling party was working towards fulfilling its
promise. He met some of the cabinet ministers to pursue them to take
initiative to start the dual citizenship process.
Mr Kapadia, who has been relentlessly campaigning
for dual citizenship, met some of the cabinet ministers including Mrs
Sushma Swaraj, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Mr Suresh Prabhu, and Mr Nitin
Gadkari. Although they have given positive responses, there has been no
indication to suggest efforts are being made to make dual citizenship
possible for the millions of Indians who have renounced or are in the
process of giving up their Indian citizenship.
Amit Kapadia said, “The politicians were
promising in their response but we are still waiting to see some action.
We understand the process of dual citizenship can take time as it may
involve introducing new legislation and amending the current ones but
this process needs to be started. During my 2011 visit on the dual
citizenship campaign, the BJP politicians including the then Gujarat
Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi and the then BJP president had
expressed support for dual citizenship and made public statements on the
same. The BJP led Indian government needs to fulfil its promise and
should ensure the dual citizenship becomes a reality.”
Notes to editors:
Dual Citizenship campaign in India – January 2015
–
http://www.hsmpforumltd.com/Dual%20Citizenship%20campaign%20in%20India%20-%20Jan%202015.pdf
During
January and February 2011 -http://www.hsmpforumltd.com/Dual%20Citizenship%20campaign%20meetings%20with%20Indian%20politicians.pdf
HSMP Forum is
a not-for-profit campaigning organisation and bears its origins to the
UK's Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, which was introduced in 2002. It
was formed after the 2006 decision by Government to apply new qualifying
criteria for existing Highly Skilled Migrants. HSMP Forum has
been lobbying the legislature, executive and the judiciary by
challenging unfair policies to non-European union migrants. The aim of
the organisation is to support and assist migrants under the
world-renowned British principles of fair play, equality and justice and
believes in challenging any unfair policies which undermine the
migrants’ interests.
These are some of the statements which bear testimony to the sentiments
of Indians settled in the UK
Mr.Jyotheeswara Reddy Mudipalli,
British Citizen of Indian origin, an IT Professional in the UK says “I
urge Government of India to consider dual citizenship. My fore fathers
had always been farming and I would like to eventually follow the
footsteps of my forefathers. Being a British Citizen, Unfortunately
without Dual Citizenship I cannot own or plan my future in this sector
in India. As
I am of Indian origin, since I was born in India, I strongly believe in
family and cultural values and without being an Indian Citizen anymore
it saddens me to not have the bonding associated with my country. It
will be an honor to be part of choosing the Government if voting right
was given for Indian born foreign nationals.”
Parthiban Varadharaj,
who works for transport for London says, “While I take pride to have
attained British citizenship, I am deeply worried that I am not allowed
to retain my Indian citizenship. Before coming to the UK, I was
practising as a lawyer in Chennai High Court. During that period, along
with my friends, I was running an NGO which focused on tasks like
creating awareness and fighting against social evils such as corruption
and working towards improving the lives of rural people. If I attempt to
do any such work now, I would be questioned of my right to do so because
I do not retain my Indian nationality. As foreigners, currently people
like me do not have the right to vote which is a major disadvantage that
curbs our aspiration to have our say in the Indian elections.
Furthermore, being denied the opportunity to participate in the Indian
politics takes away our right to serve the Indian public. Being able to
enter one's own country of birth with a visa would never be equal to
retaining the passport.”
Dr.
Amaresh Swaro, a
UK-based General Physician from Orissa who has successfully obtained
foreign citizenship said he wished to remain a proud Indian citizen. He
says, “Dual nationality gives us sense of belonging to our home country
as well as our adopted country. Taking away our Indian citizenship just
because my family and I have chosen another country to live in can have
serious psychological impact. This also deters non-resident Indians from
making investments which is crucial since NRIs bring billions of foreign
currency into India.”
Horticulturist Mrs
Bala Kompalli hailing from Hyderabad says
the dual citizenship will help her share her academic success with her
colleagues back in India.
“Dual citizenship will
help us stay committed and show gratitude to our home country which gave
us the education and confidence to succeed in a foreign country. I wish
to share new developments in my field with Indian scientific
organizations through travels and study trips.”
Amol
Karnik,
finance professional from Mumbai, working as a credit manager in the UK
said, “It is very disappointing that whilst India is making
tremendous economic progress, it still follows archaic laws regarding
immigration policies. Some people might think dual citizenship is
dangerous because it could lead to conflicting loyalties. I
would like to compare it to one’s loyalty to a parent and spouse: an
individual is bound to one by nature, and to the other by choice. One
can love both equally strongly, but in different ways.”
Mrs
Bagyalaxmi Naidu living
in Trichirappalli said, “I am an Indian national and three of my four
children live in the US and UK. My husband and I have large areas of
agricultural lands as our ancestral properties. My children have
acquired foreign citizenship and we are quite unhappy that my children
and grandchildren are made to forego their Indian citizenship. Being an
Indian is an emotionally sensitive issue for us. It is very upsetting
that my children and grandchildren will not be able to own our ancestral
lands. It is high time that the government reconsiders and accords full
citizenship status to people like my children.”
Baskaran Kumarasamy said,
“Many Indian Immigrants in the UK are unhappy regarding the dual
citizenship issue. Unfortunately, the Indian Government has not done
anything to address it. We are in the process of taking further action
and are planning to organise a protest outside the Indian
High Commission.”
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