Indian immigrants protest over new visa rules

United Kingdom, 21st July: Indian immigrants in several countries are protesting against the new visa rules by the Indian government applicable to Non resident Indians once they get nationality of other nation.

Moreover, Indian immigrants are also showing their concern over the fees required to be paid on surrendering Indian passports once they gain UK citizenship.

Indian government has made it mandatory for all NRIs (Non-resident Indians) to surrender their passports in India and get a renunciation certificate in order to travel to India. This has been done by the government of India after the November 26, 2008 Mumbai attacks.

It may be noted that David Headley, a Pakistani national, had accepted making several trips to India before the Mumbai attack.

As per the 1955 Indian Citizenship Act, no individual can have dual citizenship. Any NRI acquiring other nationality and using Indian passport as a document for travelling is bound to face criminal charges under the 1976 Indian Passport Act.

And all Indians having become UK citizens are protesting against the arbitrary fee required to be paid to the Indian government. There also seems to be some confusion over the Indian government’s decision of the reduction of such fee. Some Indian immigrants allege being over-charged and demanding refund of their fees.

However, as per the Indian High Commission, there is no confusion of any sorts. Some confusion exists regarding the cut-off date which is affecting the reduction of the arbitrary fees.

A software professional working in the UK, Raghav Upadhyay has complained to the Indian High Commission that when he applied for renunciation of Indian passports of his wife, two children and himself on 1st June 2010, the renunciation fee for each certificate was 90 pounds, however, he found that the fee was 102 pounds for each certificate after reaching the office of the High Commission.

Hence, he paid 408 pounds for the applications of four people. But, he read in a national daily on 9th June 2010 that the fee for those who had become UK citizens before 31st May 2010 had been reduced to 14 pounds per individual. Hence, he requested for a refund of the excess fees paid by him.