Centre to cancel OCI cards over pro-Khalistan activity
NEW DELHI : India is in the process of cancelling the registration of more than a dozen Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card holders for carrying out pro-Khalistan activities and anti-India propaganda, said two people aware of the development. The move comes in the backdrop of India suspending visa services in its Canadian missions, and directing Canada to cut its diplomatic staff in India.
New Delhi also expelled a senior Canadian diplomat, after an Indian diplomat was expelled by Ottawa, as ties nosedived over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation that India had a role in the killing of Canada-based Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. To be sure, the process of cancelling these OCI cards has been on for some time now.
While OCI doesn’t confer political rights, it is in effect a multiple entry, multi-purpose, life-long visa for Indian-origin people living abroad. OCI holders are exempt from having to register with the Foreign Regional Registration Office.
They cannot hold public office, vote in Indian elections or buy agricultural land. Cancellation is rare.
Out of the estimated 4.5 million OCI cards issued till date, only around 150 have been cancelled after being found in violation of rules on the basis of inputs by intelligence and security agencies. According to information available on the ministry of external affairs website, a total of 4.06 million OCI registration cards were issued till 31 January, 2022.The central government can cancel the OCI registration if “the overseas citizen of India has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India as by law established," and if “it is necessary so to do in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of India, friendly
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