MP Ashok Mittal Seeks Expat Protection Law
Rajya Sabha MP calls for stronger legal, financial and consular support for Indians facing violence and harassment overseas
- Mittal raises concern over attacks and deaths involving Indians abroad.
- Proposes dedicated Expat Protection Law for overseas Indians.
- Seeks immediate legal aid, financial assistance and stronger consular support.
- Says safety and dignity of the Indian diaspora must be a national responsibility.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 5th Aug: Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Mittal has urged the Centre to introduce a dedicated Expat Protection Law, citing a series of attacks, hate crimes and deaths involving Indian citizens overseas.
Raising the issue through a Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha, Mittal said incidents of racial violence and harassment against Indians in different countries require a stronger institutional response.
Citing official figures, the MP said the number of Indians killed abroad increased from 29 in 2021 to 86 in 2023. He referred to several recent cases, including the alleged racial assault on Hyderabad resident Syed Sohel Uddin in Utah, the killing of 24-year-old Sikh woman Kirandeep Kaur in West London and the deaths of Indian student Shivank Awasthi in Canada and Chandra Nagamallaiah in the United States.
Mittal also highlighted alleged racist attacks involving Indians in Ireland and the reported disrespect of an elderly Sikh man’s turban in the United Kingdom.
Calling for a comprehensive legal framework, Mittal proposed an Expat Protection Law providing immediate legal assistance, financial support, stronger consular intervention and dedicated mechanisms to help victims and their families pursue justice abroad. He also sought provisions for safe repatriation in exceptional circumstances.
“Our diaspora represents India’s global identity and contribution to the world. Their safety and dignity must be treated as a national responsibility,” Mittal said.
He said families in India often struggle with unfamiliar foreign legal systems, procedural hurdles and substantial financial costs when pursuing cases involving relatives overseas, and urged the government to examine his proposal.
