'Why no rule to regulate Indian lawmakers’ marriages with foreigners': Himanta Sarma's veiled dig at a Congress MP

Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday took a veiled dig at Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, without naming him, on the issue of Gogoi’s wife retaining her British citizenship for 12 years after their marriage in 2013. He also mentioned allegations of ISI links against Elizabeth Colburn, saying the questions must be answered.

In a post on X, the Assam CM wrote, “Serious questions need to be answered regarding allegations of ISI links, leading young individuals to the Pakistan Embassy for brainwashing and radicalization, and the refusal to take Indian citizenship for the past 12 years. Additionally, participation in a conversion cartel and receiving funds from external sources, including George Soros, to destabilize national security are grave concerns that cannot be ignored.”

“During my interactions with an IFS officer in Singapore, I learned that officers in the Indian Foreign Service cannot marry a foreign national without prior permission from the Government of India,” Sharma said in a post on X. “Moreover, even when permission is granted, it comes with the condition that the spouse must acquire Indian citizenship within six months.”

“Interestingly, this rule does not apply to our lawmakers. However, allowing a foreign spouse of a lawmaker to retain foreign citizenship for 12 years is far too long. Loyalty to the nation must always take precedence over all other considerations,” he further said.