Citizenship renunciations, economic anxiety claims by Priyank Kharge spark political row

Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge has triggered a political debate by linking the rising number of Indians renouncing citizenship to domestic economic pressures, including inflation, unemployment and what he described as an atmosphere of hyper-nationalism. Citing data from the Ministry of External Affairs presented in Parliament, Kharge said the steady increase in renunciations reflects a loss of confidence among skilled and successful Indians in the country’s economic and social direction.

The son of Indian National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge argued that the trend points to a growing “secession of the successful”, rather than isolated personal migration choices.

Hyper nationalism.
Unashamed display of fake patriotism.
Institutional erosion to the core.
Policies without vision.
Unemployment.
Tumbling economy.
An affinity towards the affluent.
A divided society.

The result?

More people are leaving "Vikshit Bharat" under "Vishwaguru's"… pic.twitter.com/J0k4Eh83oB

— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) December 26, 2025

MEA data shows post-pandemic surge

According to official figures, nearly 900,000 Indians gave up their citizenship over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024.

The number fell sharply in 2020 to 85,256, largely due to global travel restrictions during the pandemic. This was followed by a sharp rise to 163,370 in 2021 and a peak of 225,620 in 2022, a year that officials say also reflected the clearing of pandemic-related administrative backlogs.

The numbers remained elevated thereafter, with 216,219 renunciations in 2023 and 206,378 in 2024, still well above pre-pandemic levels.

Kharge blames policy climate

Kharge linked the trend to economic insecurity and rising inequality, arguing that high inflation, limited job creation and what he characterised as preferential treatment for the wealthy were pushing young professionals to seek permanent futures abroad.

He also cited survey data indicating widespread concern about unemployment, saying such sentiment feeds decisions to migrate permanently rather than return. In his framing, citizenship renunciation has become a political and economic signal, not merely an administrative outcome of overseas careers.

Government, critics dispute interpretation

The union government and several economists have rejected Kharge’s conclusions, arguing that the data do not support claims of economic distress-driven flight.

Officials point out that India does not permit dual citizenship, making renunciation mandatory once a foreign passport is acquired. They argue that the numbers largely reflect long-standing migration patterns to countries such as the United States and Canada, especially among professionals who moved years earlier for education or employment.

Critics also note that the post-2020 spike coincides with delayed processing during the pandemic rather than a sudden shift in economic sentiment.

Growth, remittances cited as counterpoints

Supporters of the government emphasise that citizenship renunciations are occurring alongside strong macroeconomic indicators. India’s economy continues to expand at around 6.7%, while remittances reached a record $125 billion last year, suggesting sustained engagement by the diaspora rather than economic abandonment.

They argue that outward migration and citizenship changes are consistent with global labour mobility in a growing economy, not evidence of systemic failure.

Federal friction adds political edge

The debate sharpened after the Ministry of External Affairs declined political clearance for Kharge’s official visit to the United States to attract investment. Kharge criticised the decision as undermining cooperative federalism, while the Centre maintained that the denial followed established protocols.

The episode has turned a statistical trend into a broader political contest over economic confidence, migration and the meaning of national success in a globalised labour market.