Page 26 - The Indian EYE 031524

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MARCH 15, 2024 | The Indian Eye 26

IOCUSA “bemoans the weaponization”

of OCI cards to “silence critics”

OUR BUREAU search, missionary, Tablighi, or journalistic activities
or to visit any area in India notified as protected,
New York, NY
restricted, or prohibited.
he recent denial of entry to India by Professor If a democratic government is sure-footed
Nitasha Kaul from the U.K. is nothing short about their policies and actions, they may not go
Tof weaponization of OCI cards to silence the down to this level to silence someone who partici-
critics of the BJP Government. This action that is pates in a policy debate. It is also ironic that this is
contrary to the democratic traditions not only di- the same government that takes pride in chastising
minishes the value of the OCI card but also tarnish- foreign governments on their failures to protect the
es the image of India as a beacon of freedom and safety and religious freedom of its citizens abroad.
liberty,” said George Abraham, Vice-Chair of the There is increasing evidence that global free-
Indian Overseas Congress, USA. dom is at risk where democratic governments are
Last Sunday, Nitasha Kaul, an Indian-origin becoming increasingly authoritarian and more ef-
UK-based professor at the University of West Min- fective in curtailing the freedom of their citizens
ister, claimed that she was denied entry into India but also reaching out and beginning to control their
and was sent back to London from the Bengaluru expatriate population from expressing their disap-
airport based on “orders from Delhi.” She is said to proval of the governance or differing on their policy
have stated that she was denied entry because of her Nitasha Kaul making that may be quickly interpreted as ‘anti-na-
opinions on “democratic and constitutional values.” tional.’ Unless the voters in India and the Diaspora
During a weekly media briefing by MEA The BJP-led government is said to have can- recognize this looming danger, free expression will
spokesperson Randir Jaiswal said, “This U.K. na- celed at least 102 OCI cards between 2014 and May become a thing of the past.
tional (Nitasha Kaul) came to India on February 22. 2023, including several journalists and academi- Therefore, IOCUSA appeals to the govern-
As you know, the entry of foreign nationals into our cians. In 2021, the Centre issued a notification in- ment of India to stop targeting Overseas Indians
country is a sovereign decision,” a surprising state- troducing a series of new restrictions that curtailed for expressing their opinions on the current state of
ment from a person who has been celebrating the the rights and liberties of OCI card holders. affairs and instead focus on building a more robust
diversity and achievements of India with the over- According to the notification, OCI card holders relationship through meaningful dialogue for mutu-
seas Indian community until very recently. had to secure a special permit to undertake any re- ally beneficial interests.

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