2025 is a brand new 12 months and it’s customary to start out one both with a decision or a want. I’ve had my fill of resolutions. I don’t appear to have the ability to preserve them past the primary few days. So let me see how I fare with a want.
Mine is an easy and egocentric one however I’m not the one one that would profit if it was granted. Hundreds of thousands of others would too. India ought to settle for the correct of its residents to have twin nationality. In spite of everything, if somebody has secured this proper, by parentage or residence, why ought to it not be permitted?
Citizenship isn’t just a privilege conferred by beginning. It will also be a mirrored image of multinational parentage in addition to an expression of self-identification. For instance, youngsters of British and Indian mother and father have a proper to be each British and Indian and it’s unfair to insist that in the event that they need to be Indian, they need to forsake the correct to the opposite citizenship. Equally, Indians who’ve lived overseas and are available to establish with their new nation have a proper to simply accept its citizenship with out forgoing their very own. As issues stand, neither is permitted by Indian legislation.
Let me, nevertheless, admit there are various extremely regarded democracies that don’t allow twin citizenship. India is certainly not alone. The checklist contains Austria, Japan, the Netherlands and Norway. So, clearly, not permitting twin citizenship shouldn’t be thought of undemocratic in lots of main democracies.
However have a look at the international locations that do allow it. This checklist contains a few of the most extremely regarded democracies: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Eire, Sweden, the UK, and america. Why does India, a rustic that incessantly boasts it’s the world’s largest democracy, not need to be a part of this class?
In reality, a number of of our neighbours allow twin nationality. Bangladesh does, Sri Lanka and even Pakistan. China, Burma and Nepal don’t. However are they examples to emulate?
Let’s now have a look at a few of the the reason why twin citizenship is disallowed. One of many lesser ones is that it might allow residents of nations inimical to India’s pursuits to qualify as Indian residents. However that is simply tackled. Moderately than bar twin citizenship altogether India might have a small checklist of nations with whom it’s not permitted. Pakistan does. It solely permits twin citizenship with 16 specified international locations. India isn’t considered one of them.
A extra vital purpose for barring twin citizenship is the declare it’ll dilute the that means of Indian citizenship. I’m afraid that is nonsense. Those that don’t need to retain Indian citizenship — and may purchase one other one — can provide it up every time they need. Twin citizenship is for many who have the correct to be residents of different international locations as nicely. And simply because an individual will also be British or American doesn’t make him much less Indian.
Now, some would argue that solely a minority would fall into this class so why ought to there be a legislation only for them. My reply is, why not?
Little question many are a part of the diaspora and successive governments have repeatedly reached out to them with Individuals of Indian Origin and Abroad Residents of India (OCI) playing cards. They allow every little thing besides possession of agricultural land, voting rights, and public workplace. So, what does twin citizenship provide that OCI standing doesn’t?
Very merely, it makes worldwide journey exceptionally straightforward. For instance, Pakistanis with British or American citizenship can go to most of Europe with out visas. An Indian passport holder can not. As a substitute, Indian residents have a hellish time getting visas. It additionally lets you retain your Indian citizenship. For a lot of that issues.
So, as 2025 begins, I’m hoping both Mr Modi or Mr Gandhi will rethink their occasion’s narrow-minded place on twin citizenship and allow Indian residents who’re capable of purchase a second citizenship to take action. This may be a acquire for many who can with none loss for anybody else. It’s additionally truthful and is smart.
Karan Thapar is the creator of Satan’s Advocate: The Untold Story.The views expressed are private
