Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has criticized Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement that the government was working towards granting voting rights to Non Resident Indians by the time of the next general elections. "The Prime Minister should tread cautiously. Just because NRIs have loads of money doesn't justify their getting voting rights," Thackeray said in an editorial in Sena mouthpiece Samana. "India does not expect money from its sons who have settled abroad. It expects that they come and stay here for a while and guide locals and contribute to development by sparing their knowledge, time and experience. This is more important than voting rights," the Sena chief said. "You (NRIs) should consider the country where you are based, as your motherland. Don't step on two stones, else you will be accused of dual loyalty," he said. "A large number of Muslims in India are loyal to Pakistan and India has to bear consequences," he added. The Prime Minister had recently indicated that Indian passport holders living abroad could get voting rights by the time of next Lok Sabha elections in 2014. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should first think about increasing the voting percentage in India.NRI voting is not important. source : Rediff
Every Indian must have the voting rights. Its not like NRI and all that. If anyone really feels for his country he should have the right to vote. I support Mr. Manmohan Singh for taking this step towards the NRI's.
Voting rights are bestowed along with the birth and as a citizen of India it is one of the major responsibilities. The NRI are basically Indian citizens only and either they have migrated abroad or they have an Indian origin. Technically speaking, The NRIs basically refers to the tax status of the person; it does not alter his or her citizenship. Therefore, they should have the right to vote, or else we should not feel proud by our brothers and sisters, who are gaining name and fame in other parts of world. By opposing against the voting rights for NRI, we should not feel proud of Lakshmi Mittal, Hindujas, Bhikhu and Vijay Patel and many others, who have made the world realize the power of being an Indian.
i think all of us should have voting rights who are declared as indian citizens. if we deprive NRIs from voting rights just on the grounds that they hail from some other country, that would not be a justified act. what if some indian who goes to foreign nation and becomes citizen there and is deprived voting rights and seen seperately?? we should think and act.
