Here in the overseas Indian diaspora, the anti-Muslim attitude of the Government has also had repercussions. Until recently, a British citizen born of one Indian and one (former) Pakistani citizen was entitled to become an Overseas Citizen of India, and visit India at will. This was a mechanism for keeping families connected and together.
However, in July, the government changed the rules so that a child born of one Indian parent and one Pakistani parent can no longer claim Overseas Citizenship of India.
This measure affects mainly Muslim families in India. My own children have been affected by this ruling as my wife was born in Pakistan before acquiring British nationality as a young adult many years ago. This is, of course, only a small matter in relation to the big issues within India itself. But it is still indicative of this government’s chosen ideological narrative.
And what do such communal measures achieve? Great anguish for affected families, greater fear and alienation amongst Indian Muslims and absolutely no increase in our national security.
In all these 40 years living abroad I have always been proud to be Indian. But now I feel India slipping away from me and I want my country back.
Professor Monojit Chatterji,
Fellow and Director of Studies in Economics
Sidney Sussex College, UK
