NEW YORK, May 30, 2010:- On May 23, 2010, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) initiated an on-line petition addressed to the Prime Minister of India, titled “Opposition to Retroactive Enforcement of New Rules for Surrender of Indian Passport.” As of this date, over 22,000 people have signed this online petition to the Prime Minister of India on the retroactive enforcement of the new rules for surrender of Indian passports by naturalized citizens of other countries. By signing the petition, the former Indian citizens have expressed their strong opposition to the new rules and have vented their anger and frustration with their comments.
GOPIO International strongly objects to the continuing retroactive enforcement of rules regarding the surrender of Indian passports from those who have acquired citizenship of other countries and the high service fee and penalties being charged to those who are in dire need for consular services.
GOPIO International reacted promptly against the retroactive enforcement of the new rules and initiated on-line petition which has received overwhelming support from the global Indian community. The petition and people's comments can be viewed here:
There are a few millions of people who have obtained citizenship of other countries over the last fifty five years, since the passage of Indian Citizenship Act 1955. The Indian Passport does not contain any instruction for surrender (per Indian passports issued in 1974 and in 2003). As such, the passports were not surrendered by the new naturalized citizens. The embassies and consulates never enforced their government's applicable laws and rules and routinely gave Indian visas to the foreign passport holders of Indian origin for visit to India.
On May 28, 2010 GOPIO sent a letter to Prime Minister of India, Hon. Dr. Manmohan Singh, together with the first batch of over 19,000 signatures supporting the petition, with the following requests:
1. To reconsider the retroactive enforcement of the new rules as many thousands of people could suffer undue and unnecessary hardship for no fault of their own. Indians who have been naturalized for years should be given the same 90 days window to obtain “surrender certificate” as being allowed to those Indians who become citizens of other countries now, without payment of fee or penalty.
2. To reduce the service fee from $175 to a reasonable amount of $25 (USD) after the first 90 days.
In the meantime, Indian consulates are collecting hefty fees and applicable penalties from those American citizens of Indian Origin who badly need consular services. They are forced to sign an incorrect “Renunciation Form” which is good for those who are citizens of India and also of citizens of the United States. The “Renunciation Form” carries the heading of, “Declaration of Renunciation of citizenship made by a citizen of India who is also a citizen or national of another country” and is inconsistent item 3 with item 4 on the form (pertains to dual citizenship). The consular offices expect that this form be signed by declaring solemnly and sincerely. If the intent by the Government of India is to put cancellation stamp on the passport, a simple form without complex legalities should have been developed. Surrendering an Indian passport, valid or invalid, should not be a problem, but asking US citizens of Indian Origin to renounce Indian citizenship which they do not have is confusing, frustrating and burdensome, besides not the right thing to do.
GOPIO urges Indian community groups, organizations and individuals to continue protesting against the new rules by writing to the Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Secretary Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) with a copy to GOPIO . The On-line Petition drive is going to continue. Clik here
Until now, signatures supporting the online petition have come from those with Internet access. Community leaders and activists have started taking their laptops to the Indian community shopping centers, temples and mosques during this weekend so that those with no online computer access can also be aware and participate in supporting the petition.
The Government of India is urged to reconsider the enforcement of the new rules and ease undue and unnecessary hardship which many thousands of people will suffer for no fault of their own.
o Since the rules are being applied retroactively, Indians who have been naturalized for years should be given the same 90 days window to obtain “surrender certificate” as are allowed to new naturalized citizens, without fees and penalties, provided they have Indian passport in their possession.
o Service fee of $175 for Surrender Certificate is unreasonably high and should be reduced to $25 after the first 90-day period.
o People of Indian Origin who have obtained OCI or PIO card should be considered as having already obtained Surrender Certificate.
o People of Indian Origin who do not have Indian passport but have been citizens of their adopted country for over ten years and have legitimately used their long term visa(s) for visiting India, should furnish the following documents to obtain Surrender Certificate:
1. Affidavit giving details of the passport and reasons for loss.
2. Police report.
For more information, please contact GOPIO International at +1-818-708-3885 or Email: GOPIO-Intl@sbcglobal.net.
Release by: GLOBAL ORGANIZATION of PEOPLE of INDIAN ORIGIN (GOPIO International)
PO Box 560117 New York, New York 11356 USA
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