The Deputy High Commissioner of India to Australia, Mr PS Karthigeyan has told SBS Punjabi, "Unlike many countries, India does not allow for dual citizenship. Therefore the question of whether Australians with OCI cards can be regarded as dual citizens does not arise at all."
"The holder of an OCI Card does not remain a citizen of India, as he/she invariably surrenders his/her Indian Passport" before the OCI is issued, Mr Karthigeyan clarified.
"Also, OCI also does not confer any political rights to the OCI holders in India," he added, but the Indian High Commission did not comment on whether the major Australian political parties were justified in not allowing OCI holders to become their party candidates in the upcoming federal elections.
Mr Karthigeyan said, "A registered Overseas Citizen of India is granted multiple entry, multi purpose, life-long visa for visiting India, he/she is exempted from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India, and is entitled to general 'parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties'."
As SBS Punjabi reported yesterday, at least one candidate of Indian origin was disendorsed by the Liberal Party due to her OCI status, and another was denied candidacy because he didn't want to relinquish his OCI card.
Additionally, at least two candidates of Indian heritage, who are known to be contesting the May 18 elections, have confirmed to SBS Punjabi that they have cancelled their OCI cards.
To further clarify the situation, Mr Karthigeyan stated, "An overseas citizen of India shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India.
- under article 16 of the Constitution with regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
- under article 58 of the Constitution for election as President.
- under article 66 of the Constitution for election of Vice-President.
- under article 124 of the Constitution for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
- under article 217 of the Constitution for appointment as a Judge of the High Court.
- under section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950(43 of 1950) in regard to registration as a voter.
- under sections 3 and 4 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) with regard to the eligibility for being a member of the House of the People or of the Council of States, as the case may be.
- under section 5, 5A and 6 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) with regard to the eligibility for being a member of the Legislative Assembly or a Legislative Council, as the case may be, of a State.
- for appointment to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of any State except for appointment in such services and posts as the Central Government may by special order in that behalf specify."
He added, "Detailed instructions and procedures on the OCI Scheme are available on the MHA's website: "
