A former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer has pleaded with the Union Home Ministry to probe YouTuber Dhruv Rathee’s citizenship, passport and immigration status, almost a day after his participation in a political protest in Bengaluru seeking resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of electoral rolls.
In a letter addressed to the Ministry, former IPS officer Bhaskar Rao questioned Rathee’s participation in the demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at the city’s Freedom Park. He called for a verification of the immigration conditions under which Rathee had entered and was staying in India.
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee
The former senior cop also requested the Ministry to probe whether Rathee had participated in similar protests during previous visits and, if any legal violations were proved, take appropriate action in accordance with the law.
Why has Bhaskar Rao sought a probe?
Rao, in the letter, referred to Rathee’s participation in the gathering organised in Bengaluru alongside actor Prakash Raj and others. He alleged that Rathee addressed the gathering and criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the SIR exercise.
As per Rao, Rathee alleged that there was ‘zero transparency and zero accountability’ in the electoral roll revision process. Rao called the gathering a ‘political protest’ and said Rathee was understood to hold German citizenship.
Rao contended that the YouTuber’s participation in a stir concerning India’s electoral process raised questions that required verification by the authorities concerned. He clarified that his request was not motivated by disagreement with Rathee’s political views and was not aimed at challenging Indian citizens’ right to peaceful protest.
Former IPS officer Bhaskar Rao
He said instead the issue was whether a foreign national staying in India under a particular visa or immigration permission could legally participate in, address or associate with an organised political demonstration concerning the country’s constitutional and statutory institutions.
Passport, Visa, OCI status under scanner
Rao asked the Ministry to establish the precise immigration status under which Rathee had entered and was residing in India. The details sought by Rao include the passport used for entry, the category of visa or other permission granted, the declared purpose of visit, the authorised duration of sty and any conditions attached to the permission.
Furthermore, the former IPS officer urged officials to verify whether Rathee held an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) or another status that could affect the rights and restrictions applicable to his activities in India.
Besides this, the letter sought an examination of whether Rathee had taken part in similar stirs, public meetings or politically sensitive events during earlier visits, and whether such activities fell in line with the conditions governing his stay.
Foreigners Act cited in letter
Dhruv Rathee during the Bengaluru protest
In the letter, Rao pleaded with the Ministry to examine whether any violation of the Foreigners Act, 1946, applicable immigration regulations, visa conditions, OCI rules or other relevant laws had ensued. He wrote in the letter, “If any violation ... is found upon such verification, appropriate action may kindly be taken against him strictly in accordance with law.”