2 British tourists of Pakistani origin were recently ordered to leave India while visiting Pushkar, Rajasthan. During a check, local police found “Free Palestine” stickers in their luggage.
The police reported the matter to immigration officials. Shortly after, the tourists were given a “Leave India” notice and were sent back to the UK. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The Legal Reason
The Indian government used the Foreigners Act of 1946 to justify the move. Under this law, the government can deport any foreign visitor if they believe the person might:
- Disturb the public peace.
- Involve themselves in local political issues.
- Break the rules of a standard tourist visa.
The police stated that carrying or handing out these stickers could cause unrest or lead to arguments between different groups in the community.
The Bigger Picture
In India, tourist visas are strictly for sightseeing, not for political activism. The authorities believe that foreigners should not get involved in sensitive global or local political debates while in the country.
While some people feel the punishment was too harsh for just having stickers, the Indian government maintains that it has the right to protect its national security and social harmony however it sees fit.
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