India ejects second European for joining citizenship law protests

A Norwegian tourist has said authorities have ordered her to leave India after taking part in protests against a new citizenship law, becoming the second European to be ejected over the demonstrations.

Janne-Mette Johansson, 71, on Friday said police gave her “verbal assurances” that she could take part in peaceful demonstrations against the law that critics say discriminates against India’s 200 million Muslims.

A Norwegian tourist has said authorities have ordered her to leave India after taking part in protests against a new citizenship law, becoming the second European to be ejected over the demonstrations.

Janne-Mette Johansson, 71, on Friday said police gave her “verbal assurances” that she could take part in peaceful demonstrations against the law that critics say discriminates against India’s 200 million Muslims.

The woman, who had posted photos from the demonstration in the southern state of Kerala on Facebook, added that she would leave India for Dubai on Friday evening and then fly to Sweden.

European visitors to India require visas and the Press Trust of India news agency quoted an official from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office as saying that Johansson “violated visa norms”.

“The Norwegian lady has participated in a protest in violation of her visa condition,” said Anoop Krishna, the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Officer at Kochi airport.

“She has been asked to leave the country as early as possible. The tourist visa on which she visited the country does not allow participation in any protests.”

There was no immediate response to a request for comment from India’s Ministry of Home Affairs and the Norwegian embassy in New Delhi.