New Delhi, November 18: India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah has responded in Malayalam to a letter from CPI(M) leader and Rajya Sabha member John Brittas, who had raised objections to a recent Home Ministry directive on the cancellation of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) registrations.
In his October 22 letter, Brittas urged the government to withdraw the notification that allows cancellation of OCI status for individuals who have been charge-sheeted for offences carrying a potential sentence of seven years or more. He argued that the directive was legally flawed, undermined the presumption of innocence, and violated constitutional guarantees of due process. Any action against OCI cardholders, he said, should follow a judicial finding rather than rely on procedural steps taken during criminal investigations.
Shah’s reply, written in Malayalam, acknowledged receipt of Brittas’ communication but did not address the substantive issues raised, according to people familiar with the exchange. The response marks the first time the Home Minister has replied to the CPI(M) MP in the regional language.
