Passport of India. Photographer unknown
By Lobsang Wangyal
McLEOD GANJ, India, 22 June 2017
Becoming homeless for a second time, Tibetans in India who are applying for an Indian passport have been told to leave the settlements where they were born and lived their whole lives.
Following the Delhi High Court order in September 2016 that all Tibetans born in India between January 1950 to July 1987 are Indian citizens by birth and should be issued passports, many Tibetans started applying for their passport.
Since the court order, some have obtained passports, while others are encountering various obstructions.
New rules issued by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, have put an even greater stumbling block in the way of Tibetans seeking passports.
Tibet Sun obtained a copy of the new rules which state that Tibetans who apply for a passport cannot live in the Tibetan settlements.
Two women from Bylakuppe who applied for a passport in Bangalore were told that they must provide a different address other than their settlement address in order to process their applications, and that they can no longer live in the settlement.
The Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Bangalore handed the new rules to a monk who after getting his passport was told to surrender his Registration Certificate (RC, the stay permit for Tibetans), and to fulfil the conditions of the new rules.
The rules state:
- Registration Certificate and Identity Certificate should be cancelled.
- Applicant should not be staying at any of the designated Tibetan Refugee Settlements.
- Application should furnish an undertaking/declaration on plain paper to the effect that he no longer enjoys CTA [Central Tibetan Administration] benefits.
- Applicant should provide an undertaking/declaration on plain paper that he no longer enjoys any privileges including subsidies which would have accrued to him/her by virtue of being a RC holder and that these have been returned/surrendered.
With respect to Sl no 1, your identity Certificate has been received in this office and the same is retained in safe custody.
Regarding the Registration Certificate, you are advised to furnish the cancellation certificate from the concerned FRRO Office to which you have surrendered the same also certifying that you are not residing at the designated Tibetan Refugee Settlement.
The monk from Bangalore signed an undertaking to this effect when he surrendered his RC.
Tsering, a Tibetan resident of Forsyth Ganj near McLeod Ganj, whose application is pending due to a permanent address issue, said that he was asked to sign an undertaking at Shimla RPO stating that he will not take benefits of CTA.
The rules have put Tibetans in a dilemma as they want the benefits of a passport, but applying for one would make them homeless.
Further, the rules are confusing in saying that an applicant can no longer enjoy CTA benefits. CTA is an independent entity, run by exile Tibetans with the main aims of working for a free Tibet and looking after the welfare of Tibetans.
The question arises whether Tibetans after getting Indian passport are no longer a part of the CTA, and cannot get benefits such as the Fulbright scholarships sponsored the US government.
Not every benefit and opportunity managed by CTA is dependent on holding an RC. What about the fact that many top leaders in the CTA do not possess RC — including the Sikyong (President of CTA)?
Advocate Simarpal Sawhney in Delhi in an interview told Tibet Sun that these new MEA rules for Tibetans are in violation of Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
“These rules are made by some officials, not following any existing law. There is every reason to challenge these rules in court,” Sawhney said.
Meanwhile, due to lack of clear information at various RPOs about the court order to issue passport to Tibetans and the procedure to process applications, many Tibetans are left in limbo.
A Tibetan monk from Mainpat told Tibet Sun that the RPO Raipur, the capital of Indian state Chattisgarh, refused to accept his application.
“I was told by the officials of RPO Raipur that Tibetans will not be issued passports,” the monk said.
There has been no reply to an email enquiry about the issue, and all calls to the RPO have gone unanswered.
The RPO denying passports to Tibetans is seen as defying the Delhi High Court order of 22 September 2016, as well as the MEA letter of 17 March 2017, ordering RPOs to issue passport to eligible Tibetans (born between 1950 and 1987, and their children).
Many Tibetans under the jurisdiction of Kangra Suprintendant of Police receive an adverse police verification report, stating they don’t own land and property, and hence their permanent address cannot be approved.
They are then stuck not knowing what to do, wondering if possessing land or property is a condition to get a passport, which it is not.
Due to lack of clear rules about processing and surrendering RC and IC (the Yellow Book issued to Tibetans for travel purposes in place of a passport), Tibet Sun filed a RTI (Right to Information) request with the following questions:
- What is the procedure to surrender IC (the Yellow Book) when people of Tibetan parentage apply for a new Indian passport following the Delhi High Court order?
- If there is a rule regarding surrender of IC, have all the RPOs been instructed to follow the rule?
- Should the RPOs return the IC to the holder, as the book has the person’s travel record?
- Should the RPOs mention the IC number in the ‘Old Passport number’ field at the back of the new Indian passport?
- Have there been any instructions to the FROs on how and when to surrender the Registration Certificate (RC)? Should the RC be surrendered at the nearest FRO like the IC is surrendered at the nearest RPO after getting the passport?
And the reply from the Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division of the MEA, which is the authority responsible for issuing passports and ICs, was in part:
Point No.1:-
It may be noted that as per the provisions of Rule 13 of Passport Rules, 1980, a person at a certain point of time may not hold two valid travel documents and he has to surrender one of the two passports/valid travel documents to the Passport Authority.Points No.2, 3 and 4:-
As such no information is available in this office (PV.I Section) of CPV Division of MEA. Hence, no information can be provided in this regard.Point No.5:-
The information sought by the applicant does not pertain to this office and may be obtained from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The RTI request was sent by post on 19 May, after the online RTI submittal form failed to work. A complaint to the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, about the failure of the online form went unanswered.
One hopes this news doesn’t harm the passage of Tibetan Refugee Act in US Congress that brings 3,000 Tibetans there.
Gelek Namgyal la, very well said: positive, thoughtful and grateful.
Whereas, our Genchenpas inside Tibet do not have any of these problems such as waiting for long periods to obtain a passport or travel document etc., since the government revoked passports from most of the folks in the last four years.
As a Tibetan living in Delhi, I am on yellow book and RC. And I had personally met no major problem travelling to USA and back on it few years ago. India introduced machine-readable yellow books from 2013. And officials just have to scan the bar code to let you through. I am grateful to India for allowing me to stay on its land.
India has already a billion-plus population while trying to host — albeit temporarily as guests — 90,000 Tibetans on its resource-starved soil. His Holiness reminds us that India has done the greatest to the Tibetans. We should be thankful, be satisfied with what we have, be positive instead of shamelessly demanding more and more.
Many said “what about those abroad in the West?” That’s a valid query. The answer is India has a policy of distributing Tibetan exile population across the countries who have more resources to help than impoverished, slum-dog India, the Land of Arhats (or the centre of famous Nalanda tradition).
USA has the biggest population say, 10,000-plus Tibetan emigres. Switzerland 8,000 roundabout. Japan 50? Iceland maybe 2 or 3 Tibetans. India 90,000. How do the numbers compare? India just has no resources to be a full-on father to politically-orphaned Tibetans. So he [India] is giving childish excuses such as “you need to get outta settlement camps”. But the message is “We are unable to give you this. it’s India first — make India great again.”
I understand the difficulties Tibetans face without a Passport. I have myself as a Tibetan gone through it all. Lot has been said by many who have voiced their opinions. I share all the pain my fellow Tibetans in India, Nepal and Bhutan share as a people who have been made stateless owing to the occupation of our country by communist China. I believe having citizenship of another nation does not change any of our loyalty, passion and love for Tibet. We can continue to be loyal to HH The Dalai Lama, our Exile-Government and retain our passion for a Free and Independent Tibet. We can also teach our children or students to continue our National Struggle long into the future. HH The Dalai Lama emphases on talking to young people about our religion, culture and history. Nobody can take these away the deep rooted beliefs from us no matter what passports we carry.
So, while we should also have loyalty to the host country for granting us citizenship, we can remain Tibetans at heart and work for Tibet wherever we are. The suggestion that those who have received foreign citizenship have somehow sold their souls shows the immaturity of the person and is in fact has no basis. The Tibetans in the west have kept their culture intact and have been equally active like those in India. A good example is the Tibetans Switzerland. They have been there since early sixties but they are still as staunch Tibetans as those in India. Therefore, the notion that when you hold the passport of another country, you lose your Tibetaness has no basis whatsoever.
Some have suggested that in the aftermath of the Tibetans in India becoming Indian citizens, then India will close CTA is also fanciful thinking without basis. India shared a peaceful border with Independent Tibet. Today, it faces a mortal threat from Chinese-occupied Tibet and Pakistan. The nexus between China and Pakistan makes the threat even more phenomenal. India’s security depends on a peaceful border in the North which served as buffer until China’s occupation of Tibet. India has an inescapable geopolitical interest in a free and demilitarised Tibet in order to secure its national sovereignty and concentrate in challenging its nemesis Pakistan in the west. If we Tibetans don’t let ourselves down, I don’t believe, India will let us down.
You know what? Those of you in Canada, US, Australia, Swiss and all, they don’t get to talk. You sold out with your foreign passports and citizenship. Now you want to tell us what to do? We don’t have the corrupt money like you have to get to those places. You have no right to any opinion when you sold out Tibet and Tibetans a long time ago. Don’t tell us what to do.
Here are few projected consequences of “gyakar misey” route LW advocates:
1. Permanent stopping of donation funds to CTA and Tibetans from USA and others.
2. Then, pressure from Indian government to close up CTA. Modi has recently reversed the privilege extended to Sikyong’s car to have red VIP light. Dalai Lama was pressurized to further dilute the political aspect of CTA by disallowing the English rendering of Sikyong as “Prime Minister”, and instead suggesting “President” as in president of a company/NGO. Similar acts can follow.
3. If Tibetans become Indians, what will be the purpose of Tibetan Government-in-exile? Indian government’s position will be that now that Tibetans are now Indians, CTA has no function. So it will have to close down.
4. Scholarship programs will stop, such as Fulbright or Pestallozi, etc.
5. Tibetan exiles in India will lose legitimacy as representative of the 6 million brethrens inside Tibet. India doesn’t entertain dual nationality. There will be reduced pressure on the international community to push for Dalai Lama’s return to Tibet and middle-path. China will say they won’t listen to Indians (= passport holding Tibetans) meddling in internal affairs of China. And they will be right. From legal point of view, you are an Indian now who is but a Tibet sympathizer. If we come to this frightening scenario, we are wise to assume then that Dalai Lama will die in exile, with his dreams of return to Tibet unfulfilled and unrequited, oh how so sad.
You are misinformed and not aware of the politics. Please keep your analysis to yourself.
1. Funding will depend on the situation. When in crisis even India get funds. CTA never got the funds from the US like you think. There were only a few things such as the fullbright scholarship. What else?
2. Sikyong’s red beacon was taken down because of a uniform rule about it in India. Even ministers don’t have the red light now in India. It’s not a Sikyong specific.
President or Prime Minister has nothing to do with the highest post of CTA. The proper title is Sikyong, and this has not changed. CTA is in anyway not a ‘Government’. It’s a registered NGO. So whatever name you give it doesn’t matter.
3. Are you saying that Tibetans living in US, Europe and Australia have separated from CTA? As long as Tibetans, irrespective of their citizenship, want CTA, nobody can close down CTA.
4. Scholarship has nothing to do with politics. These are social and educational issue. It will not change. These are given on humanitarian basis.
5. You have a fuzzy head, but in anyway, Tibetans pushed for a free Tibet and for the return of the Dalai Lama for the last fifty plus years. Nothing happened. Now what are you worried will change?
Free Tibet is not related to India or US. It’s related to Tibetan people and every Tibetan has the duty to try to achieve this. So as long as you work on this irrespective of what citizenship you have, you can do that. Are you doing anything?
Think what you are doing, and in the mean time, keep your analysis to yourself. Don’t become a ‘analyst geek’ with your limited knowledge and understanding. You are not helping. You are harming.
Sikyong will go to Ari [US] after his term in 2021 (he will not stick around in India as he likes to serve only in the current post). Education Kalon will also go, like Pema Chonjor and Dickey Choyang did last year (as they have Ari and Canada citizenship). And those who have moved to where the grass is greener, they are all set.
Tibetans living in India are suffering. I agree with Lobsang Wangyal la that Tibetans will fight for a Free Tibet, but we don’t know when that will happen. In the meantime we have to live our lives. He has said this in an interview with Reuters.
As someone born and living in India, I also want to get a passport. This is because the Yellow Book is such a hell. Everyone knows that it takes at least one year to process the Yellow Book. In some cases they are still waiting after three years! Once you get it, you need exit permit and return visa. I wonder what purpose does it serve for Government of India. These permits need to be processed at local police stations, which means hassle and often have to bribe the officials. These will be done in a few days if you are lucky. In South India these take like a month. Does Government of India know this?
And why yellow cover and call it “Identity Certificate”? The colour could have been like a regular passport and could have said “Travel Document”. Which country in the whole world issues an identity certificate for the purpose of travelling?
Had the Yellow Book been without the above issues, I wouldn’t think of applying for a passport. The new rules asking to get out of settlements and forsake CTA benefits if apply for passport is a way of discouraging Tibetans from applying for passport. But this will not stop Tibetans from going ahead as the yellow book process is so bad, and the humiliation that Tibetans suffer at immigration, that they will apply.
In the meantime, I am sure Lobsang Wangyal la will find a way to go to court to fight against these useless rules. How could government kick Tibetans out from where they were born and have been living their whole lives? I fully support your works and initiatives and strongly urge you to move the court to straighten this out as you are the one who could do that! The judgement surely will be in our favour.
I think Lobsang Wangyal la did a wonderful job by studying and investigating this complicated matter. Its not easy with all these, as you all know the lengthy processes when you are into any legal work or to get simple information. At least he did all this, and with his efforts we’re being informed and we Tibetans have some information on what to do and what not to. But the final choice is with us individuals, whether to apply for Passport (if applicable) or not! I think this has nothing to do with US government’s cutting out funds for Tibetans — it’s more like a different government who came with varied policies towards its people and benefactors.
When it comes to CTA, in reality, it is only a Registered Institution or NGO like TYC or TWA or TCV, but we Tibetans call CTA as our Exile Government.
Aside from that, we Tibetans are confronting so many complex issues in Exile — there’s newcomers from Tibet (mostly live in rented houses all through their lives), Tibetans born in Exile (India and Nepal), Tibetans with Settlements and without (live in rented houses whole life), Tibetans migrated to West and holding foreign Passport but working in CTA and/or other Offices and Tibetans with Indian Passport, etc. How are we finding solutions for these issues, as this is all related to our current system and our political status, being in the Indian Sub-Continent, away from our home — Tibet!
Well, I see this whole status of Tibetans and its documents, rights/duties under the Indian government, is all a very complex and sensitive matter. Officially, we (Tibetans) aren’t Refugees in India — neither foreigners nor citizens. We’re more like temporary long-term guests of India (for the past 57-58 years and more years to go…). On the other hand, when Tibetans move out of India, we get refugee status and slowly we become resident and then citizen of that country.
All in all, we’re very thankful for all the help and support and understanding of the Govt of India towards Tibetans. I think we Tibetans must wait until GoI comes up with a clearer policy for us, or we shall remain just like now (while in India), for an indefinite period of time … for better or worse!
But the biggest question is, where are we heading forward…
Thanks to Lobsang Wangyal la for your efforts to be able to bring some information before us.
Whatever we do it’s imperative that in the process of doing something good and meaningful, we don’t inadvertently kill the golden goose. So beware.
I don’t think any country will allow a person to be refugee at the same time citizen in their country! As citizen, you have benefits such as you are allowed to do all trades, studies towards becoming any professions, and travel freely to other countries. Also, as a full citizen you have to pay full tax. For eg, we Tibetan refugees have to take exit permit/entry permit every time from FRO if we are travelling abroad for more than 15 days, can’t get/take government jobs, and etc.
Therefore, if you CHOOSE to apply for Indian passport, you are saying you are an Indian citizen and should enjoy all the benefits of being it’s citizen and also hold full responsibility as being a Indian citizen. Of course, you can’t at the same time declare that you are a refugee in India and enjoy the benefits of being refugee anymore. So, it’s fair deal and you are free to CHOOSE. Thanks to Lobsang Wangyal that Tibetans have this freedom to choose now. This is not a specific rule to oppress Tibetans.
Tibetans obtaining Indian citizenship and passports just plays in the hands of the Chinese, and is a clear indication that Tibetans in India (just like Tibetans in the West) no longer believe in Tibetan independence. For all practical purposes, a foreign or Indian citizenship must be welcomed, and in many cases even a necessity. But on ethical and moral grounds, it is an admission to defeat, a knee fall to history, a betrayal to the million Tibetans within the Tibet Autonomous Region who are second class citizens in a foreign country and are not allowed to apply for a passport and travel abroad. The actions of the Tibetan exiled community in India (like those of the Tibetan exiles in the West) will directly lead to a reduction in funds and activities for Tibetan refugees.
It will further marginalise new arrivals from the Tibetan areas of Sichuan, Qinghai, Yunnan and the TAR due to a lack of access to resources once they arrive in India. The division between Tibetans in the West, Tibetans in India, new arrivals from China, the Tibetans in the TAR and the Tibetans in the outlying provinces will only increase: all part of a great ‘divide et impera’ policy of the Chinese, the only way to subdue the recalcitrant Tibetan identity into the Han Chinese mainstream hotpot. Whereas I can understand the Indian Tibetans position in the short term, from a long term historical point of view, it should be seen as nothing else but a betrayal of identity.
This letter from Indian government is reasonable. How can someone be a Tibetan refugee and Indian citizen at the same time? Simple common sense.
We should be thankful to Indian government. And don’t ask for change when only water was possible to be given by India.
Those Tibetans who complain about citizenship rights should give up their refugee related rights absolutely. This is why Donald Trump has cut fund for CTA. He thinks Tibetans are Indians now and well looked after.
Yes, why don’t Sikyong and other CTA leaders Namgyal Dolkar, Pema Delek, Home Kalon, Education Kalon and many more who are having citizenship of free country should come forward or they should be kick out from the post and benefits they are enjoying. This is just nonsense, latest circular is obviously sent by Indian government but framed after discussion with CTA leaders. Shame.
Some CTA leaders don’t want Tibetan Refugees in India to enjoy the Indian citizenship but he/she and their family enjoy every benefit of citizen with staying inside the Tibetan Settlement.
It has nothing to do with Trump as he is just a Jackass becoming joke in his own country.
Then what about Sikyong and Lha Gyari Namgyal?
Tibetan settlements in India are given to Tibetan refugees, and it is obvious that if one becomes Indian citizen, he/she cannot have any benefits given to Tibetan refugees, including Tibetan settlement. So what the hell is this guy asking for? You can’t be Indian as well as Tibetan refugee in India. Sharam karo bhai sharam karo.
Then it will be a problem for CTA, no green card fee collection? CTA must wake up? Do not make problem to existing refugees in India. CTA have no problem regarding Tibetans living in foreign countries and collecting green card fee even though Tibetans have foreigner’s nationality! A Tibetan is a Tibetan.
Tibetans are part of our country just like others and they should live a normal life just like others and participate in each field of our country equally and everyone should support them and as I understand present government of India, they have broad view and according to me our honourable PM understands importance of Tibetans very well. I’m surprised to see these type of problems Tibetans people are facing and I wish their problems should be solved soon and soon I will see them participating in all higher fields of our country and contribute in development and prosperity of our country. Tibetans are the symbol of peace and shows the brutal policy of China.
Tibetans with RC & IC. Tibetans with Indian Passport. We have some dilemma in choosing the right card for your future. I see some unnecessary obstructions from both the sides which needs to be addressed clearly either you become sentimental or judgemental. Choice is individuals. Please no doctored [in]doctrinations on the topic.
Lobsang Wangyal Lak, you have fought for the right and you have done appreciating work which can benefit to many individuals like me. Now it’s time to stand on our own feet. Why should we depends on the others. It’s more than 60 year of exile, now it’s time for us to stand on our feet and run government by our own. We Tibetan staying in India are suffering, we can’t buy property, we can’t acquire government job, we can’t go abroad freely. Every year we have to come to renew RC and it’s ridiculous for person like me to come every year leaving my job. It should be the matter of individual and no body can stop it even the CTA. I will support and keep supporting you. I will follow you soon as possible.
To Lobsang Wangyal and other Tibetan Indians
If you think you can become an Indian citizen enjoying the fruits of Indian Constitution and also remain a Tibetan refugee availing all the benefits from CTA under Indian government’s single-citizenship provision, you are mistaken.
You now should turn in your Tibetan documents to Indian officials and remain an Indian. Other option is to re-apply for an RC and then an IC. If you don’t know this process, seek advice from Dhardon Sharling, who has both RC and Indian passport and being quiet about it.
You are absolutely right. Those who wishes to be Indian citizen should immediately vacate their possession in the refugee settlements so that it could be given to needy Tibetan refugees residing in rented apartments outside the settlements. The CTA leadership who are also in possession of dual citizenship should also come forth with their nationality identity and maintain transparency on these issues. Most of the Tibetan leadership in CTA as well as senior religious leaders have already adopted nationality of India or western countries but when it comes to ordinary lay refugee community they are not forthcoming in giving their opinion.
Dear Lobsang Wangyal,
If Tibetan government is shut down by India, and make every Tibetan Indians, it is Lobsang Wangyal’s fault. Watch my word. This could happen. India will definitely order our CTA shut down since it is ridiculous for Indians (passport holding Tibetans) to work in a Tibetan political organization.
I think Lobsang Wangyal should calm down. The decision whether to give passport to Tibetans, I was told by a Tibet expert of Indian origin, is highly sensitive topic at the highest levels of Indian government. They have developed the current policy based on many factors with repercussions internationally.
After Lobsang Wangyal argued for passport, America has said, “Well, alright. they are citizens now. No need for money or support to Tibetans. “So Donald Trump promised zero fund for Tibetans. Soon, if too many Tibetans fight like Lobsang Wangyal, Indian government will absolutely take revenge.
This is my prediction. In 1-2 years, settlement lands will be taken away from Tibetans. Tibetan families who supposedly encroached on forest land in Dharamsala will be once again evicted. USA will stop financial support indefinitely.
Tibetans will soon no longer be able to go to Ari [US]. We will be stuck in Gyakar Lungpa [India]. Lobsang Wangyal don’t fight with the tiger. Beggars can’t be choosers. If we stretch the hospitality, then the host will say enough is enough. This is a prediction.
Either we have Indian citizenship and still maintain Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), or maintain status quo. We can’t have both. That’s the message of Indian govt. Please stop Lobsang Wangyal, stop encouraging bodpas [Tibetans] to your route.
Tenzin Tsering,
I agree with most of what you have to say. Although i cant imagine such drastic actions like the settlement lands being taken away etc. But like you, I feel that Lobsang Wangyal should not make too much noise about it unless we want to take it to the logical conclusion. Don’t treat our host like how its done in the western countries- demanding. Respect its priorities and its concerns and work around issues in a sensitive and respectful manner and all will be well.
Tenzin Tsering la,
HH Dalai Lama is a pioneer to let Tibet go under the Chinese control in 1959. Now, why are you worrying CTA status. Sooner or later CTA will go out of business from the Chinese pressure.
This is totally nonsense. I am strongly confident that there is a second hand influence from our own CTA Kalon’s because they have always been after Lobsang Wangyal. As rightly mentioned by Lobsang Wangyal that it’s not only President of CTA, but most Kalon are having either Indian or other foreign passport.
If Tibetan who applied for Passport are not allowed to stay in Tibetan Refugee Resettlement, here comes a question of what about all those monks from Himalayan Regions who are studying in monasteries enjoying every benefit?
Get Indian passport and become homeless. What does that mean? What the hell this guy is talking about? This is ridiculous. we are made homeless by Chinese not Indian. After all we all are dependent on India. On the other hand we say that those who obtained Indian passport, they are not supposed to live in settlements. This is ridiculous. All the settlements are within the territory of India. We Tibetans are [borrowing] their land for temporary use only.
Why is there so much fuss about qualified Tibetan taking Indian citizenship? Forget Indian government policy and laws at place, why aren’t Tibetan Government-in-exile mum about the whole situation? Or is it they don’t want to face the whole double standard topic with most of them from Sikyong to other crucial members having other national citizenship, and they talk about not taking or in no favour of taking Indian citizenship? Hypocrite and everyone is an opportunist, from Sikyong to every member of exile administration. CTA is just a transit camp where everyone is waiting for greener pasture. Just realise how everything is.
I want to a passport that hurry up.
Can you help me ???
Yes! Definitely I can help n sort out ur this problem.
Lobsang Wangyal la effort to get a clarification as per law is important and must be pursued to its logical conclusion. There are still lots of confusion. Tibetan settlements were provided because the first generation came as refugees, but that does not necessarily mean that the subsequent generations will call themselves as refugees, although they continue to stay on the same address of their parents.
Is the rule apply only on new Indian citizen applier or it’s also applied on old Indian citizen holder as there are many people who has Indian citizen and living in a refugee settlement also living in a house which is provided for a refugee by government. I feel Indian citizen holder should leave the refugee settlement. There is big difference between citizen and refugee.
This clear violation for Article 19 of Right to Freedom of Indian Constitution. Let’s recapitulate class 7 civics lesson.
1. Right to move freely throughout the territory of India;
2. Right to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India.
What kind of rules is this? Any state such as Himachal, Punjab, etc, staying [in] their own state and [if] apply for passport, then [that] person who apply for passport is not allowed to stay in India? Or this is only applicable to Tibetans? I was born in yr 1964.
Mr. Lobsang wangyal should have put an RTI challenging the notification of Ministry of External Affairs on non-allowance of Tibetan Indian resident within the place of their upbringing (Tibetan Settlement) and ask for what are the ground on which such notifications are made? And if so, such notifications are to be considered than what are the remedies or rehabilitation facilities which both the Central and State government has provided to those Tibetan Indian?
I believe, their insertion of not-allowance of Tibetan Indian to resides within the Tibetan settlement is because Tibetans in India comes under the preview of Restricted Area within India and need to sought permission from the central or the state government for the same and since such Tibetans are no more Tibetan than Tibetan-Indian.
Lobsang Wangyal la, when you have started the whole revolution you shall be doing it clear and with proper guidance and determination to fight for all those who are like yourself so called Tibetan-Indian.
HALF OF THE WAR IS OVER, STILL SOME MORE BATTLE OF CLEARANCE AND UNDERSTANDING IS LEFT.
ALL BEST WISHES!
Well another genius method to keep us from obtaining our rights. No wonder Tibetans leave India.
We have no other choice. Are we expected to be refugees all our lives. It’s a fact that not every Tibetan can afford to fly away. What will happen to us?
India is our home. Why cant they just accept us? Although we are citizens by birth but still refugees by fate.
Yes no wonder…
This new rules to Tibetan Indians is absurd and bully. If this kind of policy is applicable to the Tibetans then Bengalis, Gujrathis, Pubjabis etc. etc. could apply these rules and they will have to leave from their communities. Being a citizen of a country, one has right to choose to stay anywhere within the country under the guidance of Indian constitution.