British MP Debbie Abrahams's activities 'against India's national interests': govt sources
British parliamentarian, who has been vociferously critical about India’s policies on Jammu and Kashmir was denied visa to enter the country on accounts of activities which went against India’s national interest, said government officials.
They also stated that she had been notified about the refusal of her e-visa the same day, on 14th February.
On Monday, Debbie Abrahams arrived in Delhi around 8.50 am, but was told by immigration authorities that her visa had been rejected.
"In any case, previously issued e-Business visa meant for business meetings can't be used for visiting family and friends, as claimed by her," the sources added on the British lawmaker who has been very critical of the government's decisions on Jammu and Kashmir and the end of Article 370.
The law called for new visa, official said. The grant, refusal and revocation of visa is the sovereign right of any nation, officials said.
Brithis MP reacted on Twitter, "Very disappointing that a friend can't respecfully criticise another friend. Isn't this the sign of a healthy democracy?" She also shared an image of her visa in a bid to prove that it valid.
Also Read: British MP critical of government's decisions on Kashmir denied entry into India
This is the e-visa I was issued with by the Indian authorities. pic.twitter.com/QLwJhwFz3d
— Debbie Abrahams (@Debbie_abrahams) February 18, 2020
Debbie Abrahams was given an e-business visa on 7th October, 2019, which was valid till 5th October 2020.
"Ms Abrahams was not in the possession of a valid visa at the time of her travel to India and she was accordingly requested to return," sources said, adding that there is no arrangements of "visa on arrival" for UK citizens at the airport.
"I presented myself at the immigration desk with my documents including my e-visa, had my photograph taken and then the official looked at his screen and started shaking his head. Then he told me my visa was rejected, took my passport and disappeared for about 10 minutes. When he came back he was very rude and aggressive, shouting at me to 'come with me'," said the British MP in a statement.
"I told him not to speak to me like that and was then taken to a cordoned off area marked as a Deportee Cell. He then ordered me to sit down and I refused. I didn't know what they might do or where else they may take me, so I wanted people to see me."
The British parliamentarian stated that she called up her relative whith whom she was supposed to stay with, and he called the British High Commission.
"I'm prepared to let the fact that I've been treated like a criminal go, and I hope they will let me visit my family and friends," Ms Abrahams had said.
Debbie Abrahams, who chairs a UK paraliamentary group on Kashmir, has been very critical about the Indian government’s move on Jammu and Kashmir and its aftermath, with unprecedent security and internet shut down.
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First published: 18 February 2020, 16:01 IST