sovereign state cannot afford By Ashok Gulati Foreigners could and di

Holding of high offices by a person of foreign origin
Ad interfere in guiding the political directions of the Congress before Independence. But after Indepen-dence, the Congress was expected to behave like a sovereign party of a sovereign State.

Now a person of foreign origin via Congress wants to interfere in the destiny of our country. It'sa disrespect and insult of Indian people. It'san assault on the sovereignty, pride and ashmita of Indian people.

The framers of our Constitution had never imagined that one day a person of foreign origin would ever dream, what to say of aspire, of occupying the top post of sovereign India.

The framers of Constitution of our sovereign State could not afford to insult Indians by expressly providing for a ban on holding of high offices by a person of foreign origin. It was implied that the hard-earned sovereignty would be respected and protected by all Indians.

During World War I, Lord Mountbatten'sfather (who had acquired British citizenship) had to resign from British Royal Navy because he was a German and his son Lord Mountbatten could not become chief of British Royal Navy as he had a streak of German blood in him.

Naturalised citizenship does not give the right to interfere in political affairs of the nation. Every individual and every political party in India is expected to function in a manner consistent with the values of a sovereign democratic republic.

It is very important to note that the Foreign Contribution (Regula-tion) Act, 1976 (“An Act to regulate the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contribution or foreign hospitality by certain persons or associations. With a view to ensuring that parliamentary institutions, political associations and academic and other voluntary organisations as well as individuals working in the important areas of national life may function in a manner consistent with the values of a sovereign democratic republic, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.”) enacted by Parliament (during Emergency) prohibits a candidate for election, correspon-dent, columnist, cartoonist, editor, owner, printer or publisher of a registered newspaper, judge, government servant or employee of any corporation, member of any legislature and political party or office bearer thereof from accepting foreign contribution or hospitality.

The purpose of such enactment was to ensure that there was no foreign influence/interference in our political affairs.

If political parties and candidates are not to be influenced by foreign views and thinking via foreign money and hospitality, how could a political candidate or political party be led by a person of foreign origin?

Even charitable organisations receiving foreign donations are required to give an undertaking that the organisation shall not use the funds of the society to print and publish a registered newspaper in any capacity whatsoever. This undertaking ensures that foreigners through such organisations are not able to indirectly influence or interfere in the political affairs of our nation.

Ours is a sovereign nation; we do not expect a person of foreign origin to even aspire to rule over us. Persons of foreign origin should be sensitive to the feelings of Indians about their sovereignty and should not be so stubborn as to ask for prime ministership. Prime minister-ship is not a toy to be played with, or a fancy dress to be worn. The Preamble to the Constitution of India does not permit so.

Even when foreign exchange is allowed to come to India, it is for a purpose only and the same is closely monitored to ensure that the same is not misused/used for any other purpose.

Smt. Sonia Gandhi too had come as a bahu of the Nehru-Gandhi family. She should be sensitive to the feelings of Indians and should not encroach on our sovereignty by interfering in our political affairs.