Uncertainty forces record number of Indians to abandon citizenship

Giving up Indian nationality has paced up since Modi-led BJP took over the power back in 2014, reveals report

ISLAMABAD:

Increasing tension, division of society on minority lines, unemployment and an uncertain future under the Modi regime has forced an unprecedented number of Indians to give up their citizenship, taking the figure to the historic level of 932,000 since 2017.

Giving up citizenship has specially paced up since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Narendra Modi, took over the power back in 2014.

In the year 2021 a record number of 163,370 Indian nationals opted to renounce their nationality, The Print reported while quoting to Indian Minister of State.

“A total of 163,370 Indian nationals renounced their citizenship in 2021. In 2020, the number had fallen to just 85,248 from 144,217 in 2019, the highest until then,” it reported.

Also read: These countries offer visa-free entry to Pakistanis

The highest number of applications to renounce Indian citizenship, the data reveals, came from the United States of America, with 78,284, followed by Australia, with 23,533, Canada, with 21,597, the United Kingdom, with 14,637, and Italy, with 5,986.

According to The Print, India, unlike some other countries, does not allow for dual citizenship – and all Indian nationals who acquire foreign nationalities are legally required to renounce their Indian citizenship.

The number of Indians who renounced their citizenship after acquiring Pakistani nationality rose to 41 in 2021, from 7 in 2020 and zero in 2019.

Also read: Akshay Kumar gives up Canadian passport after recurrent backlash

A small number of Indians living in China (362) also renounced their citizenship, having obtained nationality in that country, Canada, New Zealand, US, Thailand, Germany and Italy.

Small numbers of Indians also obtained citizenship of countries from Kenya, Botswana and South Korea. Vietnam, Sudan, Mongolia and Zimbabwe were among the countries from where no Indians applied to renounce their citizenship.

Indian incumbent PM Modi had shown big dreams to the Indian people, promising them ‘Vikas’ (progress and development), only to come to power. After assuming power, he had virtually turned India unlivable place.

People on social media have sarcastically reminded Modi of his promises to progress and development which he failed to fulfil.

Indian experts told the Wire that the increase in unemployment since 2015, and the failure of Narendra Modi’s promises to take India to the highest development and quality of living facilities were some reasons for people to leave India.

This is happening in Modi's India!!

Indian people are giving up their citizenship and fleeing to other countries. pic.twitter.com/JsQU5BMf0e

— Surbhi✨ (@SurrbhiM) July 19, 2022