The 32-million nri strong global overseas Indian community is reeling under a sudden change: The latest government ordinance has deprived Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) of many of their rights. Formerly, enjoying a status very close to that of Indian citizens they are now aghast to discover that they have been reclassified as ‘foreigners’.

The seemingly easy access to their homeland is a thing of the past. They now require permission as any other foreigner enjoy to visit Jammu and Kashmir or Arunachal Pradesh. What was once a smooth relationship of Ownership has become wrapped up in bureaucracy with India.