The Union government has informed the Supreme Court that India is not open to “political asylum” but could allow any foreigner to get its citizenship under the due process of law. Attorney-General G.E. Vahavati made the statement to this effect before a bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and A.R. Dave, which dealt with the petition of Vietnam war veteran, former US Naval officer Jeff Knaebel, who has turned a Gandhian and claimed to have renounced the American citizenship.
“He (Knaebel) is not entitled to political asylum in this country. However, he being the foreign national has to make a proper application for citizenship and it is for the government of India to take a decision in accordance with the law, if otherwise eligible,” the A-G in his statement had said.
In view of the statement, the apex court gave two weeks to Mr Knaebel to submit an application to the government for citizenship. The government was further directed to dispose of the same expeditiously. Till his application is processed, the court allo-wed Knaebel to reside in Himachal Pradesh, where he is currently staying.
Mr Knaebel in his petition before the apex court seeking direction to the government to consider his asylum application, had bitterly criticised the US international policy, alleging that it was mainly based on war theory.