Indian immigrants who have acquired British citizenship or permanent residency here have termed the Indian government's refusal to allow dual citizenship as 'unfair', and may protest outside the Indian high commission in London over the issue.
Last week, the Highly Skilled Migrants Permit Forum and Association of Immigrants wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to initiate moves to allow dual citizenship so that Indians abroad with foreign citizenship could have the security of full Indian citizenship.
Amit Kapadia, executive director of the HSMP Forum, said: "It is not only the Indian citizens who work and settle abroad but also their families, relatives and friends in India who would also want them to retain their Indian citizenship alongside their foreign documents.
"Denying dual citizenship is not only unfair but a clear disregard for India's proudly held democratic ideals. Majority of the democratic countries offer dual citizenship or allow their citizens to apply for foreign citizenship without making them give up basic rights in their home country."
Kumarasamy, executive committee member of the HSMP Forum said, "Many Indian Immigrants in the UK are disheartened regarding the dual citizenship issue. Unfortunately, the Indian government has not done anything to address it. "We are in the process of taking further action and are planning to organise a protest outside the Indian High Commission."
The HSMP Forum had statements from several Indian origin people who had acquired British citizenship or residence and were keen to maintain their Indian likes through dual citizenship.
Dr Amaresh Swaro, a general physician from Orissa who has foreign citizenship, said: "Dual nationality gives us sense of belonging to our home country as well as our adopted country. Taking away our Indian citizenship just because my family and I have chosen another country to live in can have serious psychological impact.
"This also deters non-resident Indians from making investments which is crucial since NRIs bring billions of foreign currency into India."
"By denying us dual nationality, aren't we deprived of the chance to serve our own country of birth? Are we refused our right just because we are recognised in a foreign country? Doesn't it sound like asking a woman to forget her parents, for her in-laws, where she treats them both with equal reverence?" said Dr Subbulakshmi Natarajan who is from Chennai and an Education Consultant settled in London.
The Overseas Citizenship of India card has been dismissed as a poor substitute by Indian immigrants since it cannot replace the comfort and belonging of an Indian passport and takes away basic voting rights, something which even UK electoral laws allow Indian immigrants as Commonwealth citizens.
British horticulturist Bala Kompalli, who hails from Hyderabad, said: "Dual citizenship will help us remain committed and show gratitude to our home country which gave us the education and confidence to succeed in a foreign country. For example, I wish to share new developments in my field with Indian scientific Organisations through travels and study trips."
Amol Karnik, a credit manager in the UK and originally a finance professional from Mumbai said, "It is very disappointing that whilst India is making tremendous economic progress, it still follows archaic laws regarding immigration policies.
"Some people might think dual citizenship is dangerous because it could lead to conflicting loyalties. But this is an overblown fear. I would like to compare it to one's loyalty to a parent and spouse: an individual is bound to one by nature, and to the other by choice. One can love both equally strongly, but in different ways."
