Amnesty International has strongly condemned the Indian government’s decision to cancel Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status of Indian-born Swedish academic and public intellectual Ashok Swain for being critical of the Modi regime’s Hindutva policies.  According to Kashmir Media Service, Amnesty India in a statement condemned the decision, calling it “cruel” and an attempt to punish Swain for his criticism of the government. 

The cancellation of Swain’s OCI status prevented him from meeting his ailing mother in India, highlighting the human cost of the government’s actions. However, in a recent development, the Delhi High Court set aside the government’s order cancelling Swain’s OCI card.  The court directed New Delhi to issue a fresh order on Swain’s OCI status, providing a glimmer of hope for the academic.

The case has raised concerns about the Indian government’s treatment of its critics, particularly those living abroad.  Swain’s case is not isolated, as the Indian government has been revoking visa privileges of diaspora critics, including academics, activists, and journalists. Human Rights Watch has reported that the government has canceled over 100 permits and deported some status holders for allegedly showing “disaffection towards the Constitution”.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)