GFP President Urges PM Modi to Halt Passport Revocation for Goans
In a strongly worded appeal, Goa Forward Party (GFP) president Vijai Sardesai has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for immediate intervention to stop what he describes as the "humiliation and harassment" of Goans who are having their Indian passports revoked. The letter, marked as "most urgent", was dispatched from Panaji, highlighting a growing crisis affecting the coastal state's diaspora.
A Painful Contradiction in Policy
Sardesai pointed out a stark contradiction in the government's stance. He referenced Prime Minister Modi's recent Republic Day acknowledgment of Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa's Goan heritage, which celebrated the global connections of Goans. However, Sardesai lamented that simultaneously, Goans who registered their births in Portugal are being treated as "suspects" rather than citizens, facing the stripping of their Indian passports.
"This creates a painful irony where on one hand, we honor Goan roots abroad, and on the other, we penalize Goans for their historical ties," Sardesai stated in his letter. He emphasized that these individuals did not leave India out of disloyalty but due to a lack of economic opportunities at home, with their families and emotional bonds remaining firmly in Goa.
Families Living in Fear and Anxiety
The GFP chief detailed the emotional toll this policy is taking on Goan families. Elderly parents are living in constant fear of losing their children's citizenship, while entire households are gripped by anxiety over their legal status. Sardesai described a scenario where communities shaped by Goa's colonial history are now facing uncertainty and distress.
"If India can confidently engage Europe as a trusted global partner, surely India must also have the confidence to trust its own people," he argued. Sardesai stressed that citizenship should not be wielded as a weapon of fear against these communities, urging for a more humane approach.
Call for a Compassionate and Permanent Solution
In his appeal, Sardesai urged Prime Minister Modi to ensure a "compassionate, permanent solution" through the implementation of dual citizenship. This measure, he believes, would allow Goans to avoid the heartbreaking choice "between survival and belonging, between livelihood and nationhood."
The letter underscores the broader issue of how historical migrations and registrations are impacting present-day citizenship rights. Sardesai's plea highlights the need for policies that recognize the unique circumstances of Goans, balancing national security with empathy for those caught in bureaucratic crossfires.
