BJP's Bhaskar Rao seeks Centre's probe into Dhruv Rathee's anti-SIR protest role

Bengaluru, Oct 9 (UNI) Former Bengaluru Police Commissioner and BJP spkesperson Bhaskar Rao has urged the union Home Ministry to urgently investigate YouTuber Dhruv Rathee's citizenship, immigration status and eligibility to participate in a political protest against the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bengaluru.

In a representation to union Home Secretary dated October 8, Rao sought verification of Rathee's reported German citizenship, the passport used to enter India, the visa or other immigration permission under which he was staying in the country, and the conditions governing his visit.

The representation follows Rathee's participation in an anti-SIR protest at Bengaluru's Freedom Park on October 8, where he reportedly addressed the gathering alongside actor-activist Prakash Raj and others. Rathee is reported to have criticised the Election Commission, alleging "zero transparency and zero accountability" in the SIR exercise. Rao has asked the Centre to examine whether Rathee's participation in the political mobilisation was permissible under the conditions governing his stay in India, given his reported status as a German national.

In his letter, the retired IPS officer argued that the event was not merely a private or social gathering but a political protest concerning the functioning of a constitutional institution and the country's electoral process. He urged the authorities to determine whether Rathee's participation and address fell within the activities permitted under his visa, immigration status or other legal authorisation. Rao has sought a comprehensive verification of Rathee's nationality, travel documents, visa category, declared purpose of visit, authorised period of stay and any Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status. He has also asked the authorities to establish whether prior permission or clearance was required for his participation in the protest.

Going beyond the October 8 event, Rao has called for scrutiny of Rathee's participation in similar political demonstrations, public meetings or politically sensitive programmes during previous visits to India, and whether such activities complied with the applicable rules. The representation calls for legal action if any violation is established. Rao has asked the Ministry to examine possible violations of the Foreigners Act, 1946, visa conditions, immigration regulations, OCI rules or other applicable laws, and take appropriate action strictly in accordance with the law. Rao, however, clarified that his representation was not prompted by disagreement with Rathee's political opinions or criticism of the government or the Election Commission.

He said the issue was whether foreign nationals complied with the legal and regulatory conditions governing their presence and activities in India. He has also requested the preservation and examination of relevant immigration and entry-exit records to enable an independent verification of the matter. The representation has been marked to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration in New Delhi and the Bengaluru Police Commissioner. No finding of any immigration or visa violation is established by the representation itself.

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