Passport Revocation Sparks Concern Among Goans with Portuguese Ancestry
In a surprising turn of events, the revocation of Indian passports has left thousands of Goans in uncertainty, who registered their births in Portugal to secure Portuguese citizenship for their descendants. The move has raised concerns and led to discussions in the Rajya Sabha.
Key Points:
Background:
Under Portuguese law, those born in its former colonies, including Goa, surpassing liberation, are eligible for Portuguese citizenship.
This provision extends to the third generation, permitting descendants born in the state surpassing 1961 to wield for Portuguese citizenship.
Revocation of Passports:
Over the past months, increasingly than 70 individuals had their Indian passports revoked by the Regional Passport Office.
The revocation was based on the renewal of Indian passports without registering births in Portugal, deemed as acquiring foreign citizenship.
Concerns Raised in Rajya Sabha:
Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Goa’s lone representative in the Rajya Sabha, highlighted the issue, urging the Ministry of External Affairs to reconsider the passport revocation.
Tanavade emphasized that revoking passports solely based on lineage registration in Portugal was unjust.
Official Statements:
Officials at the Goa regional passport office suggested that the very number unauthentic could be higher, likely ranging between 80 to 100 individuals.
Activist Kennedy Afonso unscientific the icon to be virtually 400-500, well-expressed not just individuals but potentially 5-6 lakh people holding an “assento” (birth certificate).
Legal Perspective:
Registering births in Portugal is a prerequisite for obtaining Portuguese nationality.
Concerns arose when those attempting to renew or surrender Indian passports were issued notices of revocation.
MEA Office Memorandum:
The revocation is based on an internal memorandum from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Passport officers follow guidelines to revoke passports if obtained by suppressing information well-nigh acquiring foreign nationality.
Appeal for Renewal:
Tanavade appealed to the ministry, requesting the renewal of Indian passports for unauthentic individuals until they reap the official citizenship document from the Portuguese government.
Conclusion:
The unexpected revocation of passports has left many Goans in limbo, questioning the understructure and legality of the decision. The Rajya Sabha discussions shed light on the need for a pearly and transparent resolution to write the concerns of unauthentic individuals and ensure their rights are protected during this uncertain period. Stay tuned for remoter updates on this evolving situation.
