NRIs Seek Protection for Investments, Petition Indian Embassies Worldwide
Bengaluru : In a significant global initiative, NRIs across the world have gathered at Indian embassies and consulates, urging for the protection of their investments and savings in India. This campaign marks one of the largest gatherings of NRIs post-independence.
The NRIs have organised themselves into groups, advocating for relief measures and highlighting their concerns. Their petition, presented at various locations, stresses on the point that approximately one out of every three NRIs has faced victimisation in India. They appeal to the Indian government for support, citing their substantial contributions to the nation.
The key request of the NRIs is the enactment of the NRI Protection Bill to address their concerns and safeguard their investments. This campaign began in Eastern Asian regions like Hong Kong and Australia, followed by petitions in the Middle East, Gulf nations, Europe, the US, and Canada.
Subhas Balappanavar, the international convenor leading the campaign, and his team visited seven consular offices in the USA. Balappanavar recounted his experience at the Indian consulate in San Francisco, stating that after some initial hurdles, they were able to meet consulate officials to submit their petition.
Meanwhile, Mohan Vel Thandapani, a member of the NRI Grievance group, visited the Indian consulate in Dubai. He mentioned that with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to the Middle East as part of the 'Alhan Modi' campaign, where 55,000 NRIs have already registered, they aim to meet the PM and urge him to address the issue of protecting NRI savings and investments.
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'Sheesh Mahal' row: AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjay Singh stopped from entering Delhi CM bungalow
New Delhi (PTI): AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bhardawaj were stopped from entering the Delhi chief minister's official residence, which they had invited the media to tour with them in a bid to counter the BJP's "Sheesh Mahal" jibes.
Police set up barricades and deployed personnel in front of the 6, Flagstaff Road, bungalow, preventing the AAP leaders from entering the premises.
The AAP leaders invited the media on a tour of the chief minister's residence, which the BJP claims was turned into a "Sheesh Mahal" during Arvind Kejriwal's tenure.
Asked if they had sought permission to visit the residence, Singh and Bharadwaj told reporters, "Why should we need permission to enter the chief minister's residence?"
They were seen speaking to officials at the bungalow, requesting permission to be allowed inside.
"Who has instructed you to stop us? I am a minister and I am here for an inspection. How can you stop me and on whose orders? Have you received directions from the lieutenant governor? He is the only authority above my position," Bharadwaj was heard telling an official.
Addressing a press briefing earlier, Bharadwaj had said, "As promised, we will visit the chief minister's official residence at 6, Flagstaff Road, at 11 am and try to find the golden commode, swimming pool, and mini bar that the BJP claims are present there"
"It should be noted that both these properties are government residences. They were built with taxpayers' money and came up during the Covid pandemic. If there are allegations of misappropriation of funds, both should be investigated," he added.
Singh and Bharadwaj also had said that they would take reporters to the prime minister's residence, which AAP has dubbed "Raj Mahal" and claimed was built at a cost of 2,700 crore.
The "Raj Mahal" jibe is part of AAP's counter allegation that the prime minister leads a luxurious lifestyle.
The 6, Flagstaff Road, bungalow has sparked controversy over alleged irregularities in its renovation and costly fittings and household goods present in it.
The BJP has focussed a big part of its assembly election campaign around these allegations, dubbing the bungalow "Sheesh Mahal".
The saffron party's Delhi chief Virendra Sachdeva has claimed that valuable items, including a "golden commode", were missing after the bungalow was vacated by Kejriwal.
On Tuesday, AAP challenged the BJP to open the prime minister's residence for a media visit to reveal the reality while also offering to take reporters on a tour of the chief minister's bungalow.
