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Visa rights of overseas critics in diaspora revoked: HRW
The organization also reported instances where foreign journalists and activists with OCI status faced obstacles in their work in India
Visa rights of overseas critics in diaspora revoked: HRW / HRW
In a recent report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has highlighted the Indian government's efforts to strip visa privileges from overseas critics of Indian origin who have spoken out against the policies of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government.
HRW emphasized the stark contrast between Prime Minister Narendra Modi's enthusiastic engagement with diaspora party supporters across multiple countries and the government's crackdown on individuals deemed to be undermining India's image.
According to Human Rights Watch, the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) status, which grants residency rights to foreign citizens of Indian origin or those married to Indian nationals, has been revoked for many individuals critical of the BJP's Hindu majoritarian ideology. Among those affected are academics, activists, and journalists who have challenged the government's actions in Indian courts, seeking protection of their rights to speech and livelihood.
“The BJP-led government has reportedly downgraded the privileges of OCI cardholders, requiring them to seek special permission for certain activities in India. Over the past decade, the government has cancelled permits and deported OCI status holders for allegedly showing dissent toward the Constitution, raising concerns for individuals with strong ties to India,” states the report.
Human Rights Watch highlighted specific cases, including that of Ashok Swain, an Indian-origin Swedish academic whose OCI status was revoked twice without specific evidence provided by the government. Similarly, Nitasha Kaul, a British professor critical of the BJP, was barred from entering India without explanation, sparking concerns about arbitrary decision-making.
The organization also reported instances where foreign journalists and activists with OCI status faced obstacles in their work in India, with some being denied permission to continue reporting. It also emphasized the need for foreign governments to address human rights issues in India and press the Modi administration to engage with critics rather than silence them through intimidation.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is a global non-governmental organization based in New York City, dedicated to conducting research and advocacy efforts concerning human rights.
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Comments
Sam Patel
2024-03-19 00:00:00
Human Rights is just a front for western powers, which will speak of atrocities in India, where natives have been massacred and abused even today by people who came as invaders and who were given a safe haven called Pakistan. Those who took safe haven began abuse of minorities there and then the 200 million that never left claim abuse in India. As for HW, never speaks of how the west came to be. Natives have almost disappeared in Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand. The colonies in the South of Equator were saved by WW2 which weakened the west. Who knew that Hitler would bring benefits to the South from South America to Afrika to India to all the way to Philippines. And the GREAT FAMILIES of HUMAN RIGHTS, the monarchies of Europe enjoy their looted wealth while the colonies, once living a decent life are still struggling from the effects of colonization and abuse a decade later.
Sam Patel
2024-03-19 00:00:00
Human Rights is just a front for western powers, which will speak of atrocities in India, where natives have been massacred and abused even today by people who came as invaders and who were given a safe haven called Pakistan. Those who took safe haven began abuse of minorities there and then the 200 million that never left claim abuse in India. As for HW, never speaks of how the west came to be. Natives have almost disappeared in Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand. The colonies in the South of Equator were saved by WW2 which weakened the west. Who knew that Hitler would bring benefits to the South from South America to Afrika to India to all the way to Philippines. And the GREAT FAMILIES of HUMAN RIGHTS, the monarchies of Europe enjoy their looted wealth while the colonies, once living a decent life are still struggling from the effects of colonization and abuse a decade later.
Sam Patel
2024-03-19 00:00:00
Human Rights worried about permissions for entry into India, should look into the VISA processes by the west. Besides, foreigners have no rights to entry into India. It is for India to allow entry or not allow entry. This same HUMAN RIGHTS rejoiced the repeal of VISA of PM Modi in the USA on accusations of killing minorities that started killings of Hindus (a 80% majority in India). Where else have we heard of a 15% minority openly massacring a 80% majority and being protected by media with calling the abused bad. Multiple investigations and nothing found by anyone on Modi's involvement in the killings. Not even by the Indian Govt. that was motivated to jail Modi but drew blanks. And now there is CAA, an amendment to a law that gives country less refugees a status. But that is abuse but was totally OK when USA created laws to help certain religions instant VISA to USA and barred the rest of the country (read Jews of Russia).