Witnessing the anti-national statements by some left liberals and Islamists, it was necessary for the government to come up with strong measures to prevent them from spreading hatred and bigotry in India. However, in what can be seen as a revolutionary move to teach those abusing India a lesson, the Government has cancelled OCI cards of those allegedly involved in any anti-national activity.
Government’s action against anti-national activities
Reportedly, India has cancelled long-term visas of some of the Indian-origin foreign nationals and also cancelled OCI cards of those who were allegedly involved anti-India activities. While interacting with the media, sources informed that, “The Indian diplomatic missions have been keeping close tabs on anti-India activities of some overseas Indians.”
As per the sources, “The diplomatic missions are keeping an eye on Indian-origin students who get involved in abusive protests outside the embassies and high commissions situated in various foreign countries.”
Shalinder Wangu, a journalist, tweeted, “OCI Cards and LT Visas of Overseas Indians involved in anti-India activities revoked!! Indian missions abroad have been keeping close tabs on anti-India activities of some overseas Indians and also Indian students, including abusive protests outside Embassy premises.”
OCI Cards and LT Visas of Overseas Indians involved in anti-India activities revoked!!
Indian missions abroad have been keeping close tabs on anti-India activities of some overseas Indians and also Indian students, including abusive protests outside Embassy premises
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— Shalinder Wangu (@Wangu_News18) October 26, 2021
Aatish Taseer’s OCI card revoked
Aatish Taseer, a writer by profession, earned his living by presenting a certain type of picture of India to the international audience and spoke about the authority just because he was an OCI cardholder. However, the Home Ministry refused to renew his card a few months ago because he lied about the details of his father.
Taseer had also painted Prime Minister Modi as the ‘divider in chief’ in a Times magazine article published just before the 2019 general election.
OCI cardholders with political and religious agendas
Because India does not award “dual citizenship” unlike many countries in the world, the Indian government introduced the OCI facility in the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005 to facilitate the people of Indian origin who hold overseas citizenship. Some of the prominent people who are living in India as OCI cardholders include Akshay Kumar, Gita Gopinath, Salman Rushdie, Alia Bhatt, Siddharth Varadarajan and others.
In the last few years, it has been seen that many OCI cardholders are trying to influence the Indian voters, and are carrying out political and social activities for which only Indian citizens are privileged. For example, people like Siddharth Varadarajan – who holds American citizenship – often tries to influence the political choices of the people of India by advocating for leaders of a particular ideology through media outlets.
Now the Union government, by cancelling the OCIs of those involved in any anti-national activity, has shown that any propaganda that harms the interest of the nation, will not be tolerated. Moreover, those trying to malign India’s image will not be spared at any cost.