NRI’s turning back from Delhi airport grabs political attention

Close on the heels of announcement of ‘24/7 online Quick Response Centre’ at airports to facilitate hassle-free arrival of NRIs in India, an NRI was turned back from Delhi airport to the United States

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Close on the heels of announcement of ‘24/7 online Quick Response Centre’ at airports to facilitate hassle-free arrival of NRIs in India, an NRI Darshan Singh Dhaiwal, was turned back from Delhi airport to the United States.

The issue grabbed political attention, as five-time Chief Minister of Indian state of Punjab Prakash Singh Badal requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “personally invite Dhaliwal as a ‘goodwill gesture’ which will send a great positive signal to NRIs.”

In his request to the Indian Prime Minister he said, “Intervene personally and effectively to get the injustice vacated immediately,” Indian Express reported.

The reason cited for sending back of Dhaliwal on October 23-24, according to Badal, was weird as authorities said that was done as a punishment for organising langar for agitating farmers at Delhi borders.

Badal requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “personally invite Dhaliwal as a ‘goodwill gesture’ which will send a great positive signal to NRIs.”

Only a couple of days before (October 22, 2021), Punjab’s Minister for NRI Affairs Pargat Singh had announced his plans to set up a 24/7 online Quick Response Centre to assist NRIs at the airports. The arrangement, according to him, was meant for hassle-free arrival of NRI while returning home.

The minister said to have mentioned the issue of some NRIs who faced embarrassment at the airports for documents and identities even though their documents were found to be correct later.

“That happens due to misunderstanding by the airport employees that do not have a clear understanding of NRI documents,” he said.

“The Quick Response Centre will work 24/7 equipped with officers expert in NRI affairs to rule out any difficulty to the returning NRIs,” an official of the NRI Affairs had said.

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