Many visa applicants fake their sexual orientation to seek immigration on the plea that same-sex marriages are illegal in India.
KOLKATA: Indian gay rights activists might be happy that their campaign for legalisation of same-sex-marriage in the country is increasingly drawing international attention and sympathy.
However, it has come to the attention of the Indian government that many youths are using this opportunity to get an immigration visa to certain western countries where same-sex-marriage is considered legal.
The modus operandi is quite simple. Two guys approach the embassies of a particular country jointly with applications for immigration visas. Their pleas are also similar — that they are partners and, against the legal backdrop of India banning homosexuality, they are unable to lead a peaceful life together. Canada seems to be the most attractive destination for such prospective immigrants. Sources associated with the Canadian embassy in India told DNA that initially they encouraged such applications and even granted visas. However, it was later revealed that once in Canada, these people lived separately and some even got into heterosexual marriages at a later stage.
After Canada, Australia and New Zealand are next hot spots for such immigration visa seekers.
It was further learnt that over the last one year, around 15% of Canada’s immigration visa applications had cited the issue - that India does not accept them as legally married - as the reason for seeking immigration. The maximum number of applications came from Punjab, followed by West Bengal and Delhi.
However, the embassies of such countries, sources said, have become cautious. “Unless we are absolutely sure that the credentials of the applicants are accurate, we do not grant visas. Apart from carrying out psychological tests on such applicants, we try to collect information from local authorities. We also counter-check with gay rights groups,” an official associated with the Canadian embassy said.
Humsafar Trust, an organisation working to safeguard legal rights of such people, feels this trend can be quite dangerous. A senior lawyer associated with the trust told DNA that such frauds can be harmful in two ways. “First, that this may force the embassy to put a blanket ban on immigration on such grounds, which will affect genuine persons. Secondly, international sympathy for the same-sex marriage movement may get diluted.”
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