More than two lakh Indians renounced their citizenship in 2024, as recently informed by the government in the Lok Sabha. While I can understand why someone would choose to leave the country instead of opting for temporary stays and returns, my personal experience sheds more light on this issue. I have been fighting against an illegal construction, following all due procedures from filing a complaint with the Village Panchayat to pursuing Right to Information (RTI) queries. Many times, RTI queries did not receive replies, prompting me to use escalations like first appeals. Imagine after two years of effort, the demolition notice is still stuck on paper. Then, the government announces regularization of illegal structures. If I had the privilege to move away from this failed system, I would definitely consider that option. Basically, the kind of population leaving the country is the one with privileges, law-abiding, tax-paying citizens. On the other hand, the nation will be left with the opposite kind of citizens. And the government will continue to be corrupt. Would that lead our country in the opposite direction of progress?
