The controversy over Citizenship of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi took a brand new activate Monday when the Allahabad Excessive Court docket directed the Ministry of Dwelling Affairs to resolve upon a petition questioning his Indian nationality by December 19, Bar and Bench reported. The petition has been filed by one S Vignesh Shishir. The petitioner has alleged that the particular person holds twin citizenship and is a citizen of the UK as properly, and the CBI ought to probe this matter.
The bench of Justices Attau Rahman Masoodi and Subhash Vidyarthi handed an interim order, enquiring from the MHA to tell the court docket about their determination by the following listening to. “The plea has been acquired by the Centre and is presently below course of,” mentioned Deputy Solicitor Normal of India SB Pandey in the course of the listening to. The case has now been adjourned until December 19, when the MHA is more likely to report again to the court docket.
That is the most recent controversy the place Gandhi is accused of being a British citizen because the Chief of Opposition in Lok Sabha. Shishir’s plea requires an in-depth investigation into the citizenship standing of Gandhi, in search of cancellation of any present international citizenship Gandhi might possess. It has additionally now raised questions on whether or not he was eligible to grow to be an MP for India, as international citizenship might disqualify a person from sitting in Parliament below the Structure of India.
The difficulty is just not new. In 2022, an analogous petition was filed by VSS Sarma, asking the British authorities for particulars relating to Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship. Whereas the British authorities had not but responded, the difficulty gained momentum when Shishir introduced it to the Indian courts.
Shishir’s plea additionally cited BJP chief Subramanian Swamy, who had filed an equivalent plea earlier than the Delhi Excessive Court docket. Swamy, infamous for his trolling of Gandhi, had earlier raised questions in regards to the citizenship standing of the Congress chief in query. Nevertheless, the Delhi Excessive Court docket determined to place the subsidy scheme of Swamy’s plea on maintain until its clarification acquired from the Allahabad Excessive Court docket.
The difficulty is grave sufficient because it had drawn the storm of politics. This distinguished politician in India, Gandhi, has usually been attacked by political rivals, and the case of his citizenship arose once more from a debate that was concerned in ongoing debates. For the Congress chief, this was one other chapter in an extended historical past of authorized and political battles.
Alternatively, Gandhi’s supporters have dismissed these allegations, suggesting that the petitioners are merely attempting to distract the general public from extra urgent points. The matter has not solely grow to be a authorized dispute but additionally a political one, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Social gathering (BJP) persevering with to problem Gandhi’s legitimacy on numerous fronts.
