How the world treated India’s diaspora at the time of its independence

One of the many lasting consequences of the British colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent was the emergence of a large Indian diaspora across the British Empire. From the South Pacific to the North Atlantic, Indians spread everywhere. To countries such as Fiji, Mauritius and Trinidad, they went mostly as indentured labour. And to countries such as Canada and Australia, they went mainly in search of better opportunities.

A large number of these Indians did not come back, choosing instead to become citizens of their adopted homes. In some countries, they were treated with a degree of fairness, while in others, they faced openly discriminatory policies.

Just two months after India attained independence, Bishwanath Das, a member of the Constituent Assembly representing Orissa, prepared a series of questions about Indians’ citizenship rights in Commonwealth countries. In particular, he wanted Jawaharlal Nehru to answer the following in a meeting of the Constituent Assembly on November 21:

“Will the Honourable Prime Minister be pleased to state:

the number of Indians living in other States and Colonies, including the British Commonwealth of Nations (number in such cases to be given separately);

the States that have conferred Citizenship Rights on Indians;

the disabilities that are still attached to Indians in each of the States constituting the…

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