How govt revoked OCI card of US journalist Raphael Satter for ‘anti-India bias'

India Today

2 days ago

In a case that pits the sovereignty of the Indian state against global norms of press freedom, the Union government has firmly defended its decision to revoke the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card of US-based journalist Raphael Satter.In an affidavit filed before the Delhi High Court last week, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) claimed the move was based on intelligence inputs that flagged Satter for allegedly 'maliciously creating adverse and biased opinions against Indian institutions' in the global arena through his reporting. A discreet Look Out Circular (LOC) had also been issued against him, the government disclosed.advertisementThe government claimed that before initiating cancellation of OCI proceedings, the MHA had consulted security agencies and the ministry of external affairs (MEA), and also examined the activities of Satter in the light of reports received from security agencies.The affidavit, filed by I.G. Muthuraja, director in the Foreigners Division of the MHA on May 24, further asserted India's sovereign right to deny entry to any foreign national deemed undesirable, regardless of visa status. 'Entry into a country's territory is not a matter of right,' the government stated, reinforcing its position that holding an OCI card does not guarantee unrestricted access.
The affidavit stated it was brought to the notice of the MHA through security agencies that Satter had attended the Nullcon Conference in Goa on September 10, 2022. The focus of the conference was to showcase the next generation of offensive and defensive security technology. Without necessary permission, he attended the conference and conducted journalistic activities, thus violating the provision of Para (1) (1) of the MHA's notification S.O. 1050 (E) dated March 4, 2021.advertisement'It is germane to mention here that OCI cardholders or other foreigners visiting India are supposed to adhere to the laws of the country, i.e. the activities which are prohibited for them under the category of VISA or OCI guidelines,' the government affidavit stated, adding that an OCI cardholder is a foreigner and that the OCI card is a life-long visa issued to such a foreigner. Every country has a sovereign right to refuse entry into its territory to any individual whom it may consider undesirable, and informing about the same inasmuch as entry into any country's territory is not a matter of right, even if the person holds a valid visa.It was also informed that Indian citizens are guaranteed the Fundamental Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression and Fundamental Right to Free Movement under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. However, foreigners or citizens of other countries are not entitled to such rights. Since OCI cardholders are foreigners and citizens of another country, they cannot claim Right to Free Speech/Movement and protest under Article 19 of the Constitution.It was pointed out that the legal position on this aspect is not uniform in all countries, but so far, the law which operates in India is concerned, the executive government has an unrestricted right to expel a foreigner. So far as the right to be heard is concerned, there cannot be any hard and fast rule about the manner in which a person concerned has to be given an opportunity to place his case and it is not claimed that if the authority concerned had served a notice before passing the impugned order, the petitioners could have produced some relevant material in support of their claim of acquisition of citizenship, which they failed to do in the absence of a notice.advertisementIt was claimed that before initiating cancellation of OCI proceedings, the MHA had consulted security agencies and MEA and also examined the activities of Satter in view of reports received from security agencies, MEA and provisions under Sections 7D (da) and 7D (e) of The Citizenship Act, 1955, wherein the OCI card of the petitioner was found liable to be cancelled. Therefore, on June 12, 2023, the MHA served a 'notice' to the petitioner through the Indian High Commission in Washington DC to show cause as to why his OCI Card may not be cancelled.It is submitted that the reports received from security agencies are 'Secret' in nature, therefore, it cannot be disclosed to the petitioner.advertisementFurther, (7D) The Central Government may, by order, cancel the registration granted under sub-section (1) of section 7A, if it is satisfied that:(da) The Overseas Citizen of India cardholder has violated any of the provisions of this Act or provisions of any other law for time being in force as may be specified by the central government in the notification published.(e) it is necessary so to do in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of India, friendly relations of India with any foreign country, or in the interests of the general public.The government maintained that though Satter made repeated representations claiming that he did not carry any journalistic activities, he has not submitted anything which proves that he has not done any journalistic activities and was also unable to submit his whereabouts and activities during his visit to India.'It has been reported by security agencies that Raphael Satter has been noted for acts of maliciously creating adverse and biased opinion against Indian institutions in the international arena through his journalistic activities, and a discreet LOC was opened against him,' the government informed the Delhi High Court.advertisementThe high court was informed that in the personal hearing, Satter, through his representatives, claimed that after obtaining his OCI Card, he had visited India only once and had not engaged in any journalistic activities, such as interviews, news events, or taken any photos, nor published any articles during his visit to India. In addition, Satter has cited eight court judgments to support his argument that detailed reasons for the cancellation of an OCI Card need to be furnished when exercising powers under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955. Further, he stated that no proof has been submitted (i) on the allegation of conducting journalistic activities without special permission (ii) on the allegation of maliciously creating adverse and biased opinion against Indian institutions in the international arena.The government has made it clear that the OCI card is a lifelong visa granted to a foreign national of Indian origin or their relatives. The grant of visa is plenary sovereign function of the central government. 'The foreign national cannot claim services as a matter of right as per their convenience. Visa service is meant only for those foreign nationals who intent to arrive/ stay/ depart in/ from India legally and follow Indian laws and rules.'advertisementSubscribe to India Today Magazine