NRIs to demand dual citizenship, free visas to India from PM Modi at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

Karupaiya AL Mustami, a Parliament member from Malaysia’s Padang Serai, said the Indian diaspora should be given free visas to help their next generation remain connected with the mother country in the same manner as they have done so far

The Indian diaspora wants the dual citizenship issue or free visa to be taken up for discussion at the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention here to ensure that the new generation remains connected to the ‘mother country’ India just like their parents and forefathers have done.

Delegates at the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, at Trade Facility Centre, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday. (Rajesh Kumar/HT Photo)

New Zealand MP Kanwaljit Singh was the first to raise the demand at the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention here this morning. Singh’s sentiments were echoed by delegates from other countries.

Malaysia has a large delegation at the convention. The delegates from the country appeared more concerned about the issue, hoping they will be able to raise it before Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he arrives here on Tuesday.

“I will like to raise the issue of making visa (for travel) from Malaysia to India free for the diaspora. We want our next generation to remain connected with the ‘mother’ country in the same manner as we have done so far,” said Karupaiya AL Mustami, MP for Padang Serai, Malaysia.

“A fee of 190 RM was being charged for visa to India. This fee has been increased to nearly 500 RM now. Everybody cannot afford an Overseas Citizen of India card, as it costs about 1500 RM. The number of visitors from Malaysia to India is going down. We want this number to go up. PM Modi can take up the issue with the Malaysian PM,” Mustami said.

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi had earlier demanded that dual citizenship or free visa for Indian diaspora in India.

“I agree with the point made by New Zealand MP. We Girmitiyas (descendants of indentured Indian labourers) are like Indian bride here. When the bride goes back, she gets return gift and we want union government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give us return gift of free visa,” said another delegate from Malaysia.

“Bakshi’s demand is justified. Most persons come here to visit temples or for medical treatment. A free visa will boost tourism and help the Indian community living abroad,” said another delegate.

Although the organisers claimed the best-ever facilities had been done at the 15th PBD convention here, some delegates said a lot more needed to be done here.

Dr Sunil Sinha, a physician from the United States said, “No arrangements have been made to provide vehicles to participants to be dropped at the venue. Participants have to walk a long distance as their vehicles are being stopped at barriers put up at a distance. No assistance is being provided to people with disability. They should have provided facility of golf cart etc. Moreover hotels are charging double the normal tariff.”

“This is my third convention and a lot of participants here are not happy with the arrangements,” said Sinha.