PANJIM: As the citizenship row gains steam, the MGP has rushed in to condemn all those having what they called ‘dual citizenship’ (by registering their birth in Portugal and possessing Portuguese passports) and has called on the Union government to take over land and property owned by such persons in the country.
Speaking to the Herald, MGP MLA and Minister in the Parrikar led-government Ramkrishna Sudin Dhavalikar said, “All those persons whether in politics or not should not be allowed to avail of benefits available exclusively to Indian citizens if they are in possession of dual citizenship.”
At a function held Friday for Sainiks, Dhavalikar said that land and property owned by people having ‘dual citizenship’ with Portugal should be taken over by the central government and handed over to the Sainiks.
Dhavalikar further reiterated that the Goa government should have the Portuguese embassy shifted to Delhi, a move that would discourage Goans from applying for passports. “We are also losing Goans this way,” he said.
He pointed out that the government should look not only at one or two cases which have come to light in the political arena but all including government servants who have taken ‘dual citizenship’ and yet claiming rights given to Indian citizens by the Constitution.
Dhavalikar said, “Any Goan (who has taken ‘dual citizenship’ by registering his birth in Portugal) should either be a citizen of India or opt to leave India,” adding further that no citizen can have two nationalities and seek benefits from both sides.
Dhavalikar said that he had been assessing the scenario during the last couple of weeks since the MHA order had been issued and opined that there may be close to 30,000 such persons in Goa having what he called ‘dual citizenship’.
Dhavalikar said it was ridiculous and such persons cannot enjoy political office and benefits entitled, especially as government servants in particular. He added that there was every reason for such a condemnation of ‘dual citizenship’ with Portugal as Goa suffered enormously at the time of the exit of the Portuguese from Goa.
“They destroyed our bridges and infrastructure,” said Dhavalikar pointing out that this put Goa to tremendous hardships which cannot be forgotten today.
That certain Goans are still wanting to have links with Portugal, he said, is unacceptable for true Goans and Indians.
