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India Bans Travel for Foreigners Involved in Anti-India Protests Abroad

The Indian government has officially barred non-Indians involved in anti-India activities on foreign soil from traveling to the country. Minister of State Nityanand Rai stated this policy is enforced under the existing Visa Manual, Rules, and Guidelines. In parallel, new criminal laws have replaced the colonial-era sedition charge with updated provisions protecting national sovereignty. The government has also engaged with host countries to ensure the safety of Indian diplomatic personnel and properties.

Key Points: India Bars Non-Indians in Anti-India Activities from Travel

  • Government confirms visa ban on non-Indians participating in anti-India activities abroad
  • India has urged host nations to act against such elements under their domestic laws
  • New criminal laws replace colonial-era sedition with provisions against endangering sovereignty
  • Enhanced legal protections for women and children introduced under the new BNS
3 min read

Non-Indians involved in anti-India protests in Canada, UK barred from travel to our country: MoS Nityanand Rai

MoS Nityanand Rai states non-Indians involved in anti-India protests in Canada, UK, and US are prohibited from traveling to India per visa rules.

"Further, the travel of such non-Indians who are involved in these activities is prohibited in India in terms of the Visa Manual, Rules and Guidelines issued from time to time. - MoS Nityanand Rai"

New Delhi, Dec 16

Non-Indians involved in anti-India activities on foreign land, including Canada, the UK and the US, are prohibited from travelling to India in terms of the Visa Manual, Rules and Guidelines, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said on Tuesday.

He said there have been instances of participation and support by non-Indians in anti-India activities.

The Government of India, including through its diplomatic Missions and Posts, has engaged with the host governments and urged them to not only take action against these elements under their respective domestic laws, but also to ensure adequate safety of our diplomatic properties and personnel as per relevant international conventions, said Rai.

"Further, the travel of such non-Indians who are involved in these activities is prohibited in India in terms of the Visa Manual, Rules and Guidelines issued from time to time," said the MoS.

He was replying to a Lok Sabha question: Whether the Government has taken any action against the property owned by non-Indian origin people, especially those in Canada, Britain and the US, involved in anti-India activities.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Uttamrao Deshmukh wanted the Ministry to tell if any steps had been taken for freezing property owned by non-Indian origin involved in anti-India activities in Canada, the UK and the US.

In reply to another question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar said that the new Criminal Laws that came into force from July 1, 2024, the section relating to sedition which had colonial origins has been deleted and replaced with section 152 of BNS, 2023, which makes acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India a punishable offence.

He was replying to a question by BJP MP Satish Kumar Gautam: Whether new criminal laws liberate people from a colonial mind.

Highlighting the provisions in the new laws for protection of women and child have, MoS Bandi Sanjay Kumar said in BNS, 2023, the age differential for minor victims of gang rape has been done away with.

Earlier, different punishments were prescribed for gang rape of a girl below the age of 16 years and 12 years. This provision has been modified and now gang rape of a woman below the age of 18 years is punishable with imprisonment for life or death, he said.

The MoS said women have also been recognised as an adult member of the family who can receive summons on behalf of the person summoned. The earlier reference to 'some adult male member' has been replaced with 'some adult member'.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good move. But I have a question - how effectively is this being enforced? We hear about these rules, but do we have a system to actually identify and stop such individuals at the visa stage? Transparency in the process would build more public confidence.
R
Rohit P
Finally! These so-called 'activists' abroad who have never lived here think they can fund and fuel separatism and then come for tourism? No way. Ban is the only answer. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
As someone living in the UK, I see these protests sometimes. It's a complex issue of free speech vs. national security. India has every right to protect its interests, but the criteria for being "involved" should be very clear and evidence-based to avoid misuse.
V
Vikram M
The update to the criminal laws mentioned here is more significant, in my opinion. Replacing the colonial sedition law with a more precise section on endangering sovereignty is a positive legal reform. The strengthened provisions for women's safety are also very welcome.
K
Karthik V
Action on property freezing is what I'm waiting to hear about. That would hit where it hurts. Just banning travel is one thing, but seizing assets used to fund anti-India propaganda would be a real deterrent. Hope the government is working on that front too.

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