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[POLITICS] · Latvia, India · 2 sources

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Part of situation: Latvian citizenship controversy involving Divya Kananas Vish (2 clusters)

Latvian Parliament revokes citizenship granted to Indian scientist

Saeima Latvian citizenship Divja Kanana Vishvanata naturalization controversy Latvia

The Latvian Saeima has passed legislation to revoke the citizenship of Indian scientist Divja Kanana Vishvanata, nullifying the decision made just one week prior. The initial grant, awarded on October 15 under an expedited procedure for special merits, was rescinded following intense public debate and scrutiny regarding the legitimacy of the decision.

Vishvanata, whose husband has been a Latvian citizen since 2023, faced significant criticism from politicians, media, and bloggers concerning her academic credentials and scientific contributions to Latvia. While she provided documentation, including a Ph.D. from Janardhan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University in India, the controversy led members of the 'New Unity' party to propose the annulment.

Musician Lauris Reiniks joined the public discourse, stating on social media that the last citizenship grant he understood was that of Mikhail Baryshnikov in 2017, expressing concern that citizenship is becoming too easy to obtain.

Entities

Lauris Reiniks · New Unity · Saeima

Sources

“Pēdējais, kura pilsonības piešķiršanu es sapratu, bija Barišņikovs!” Lauris Reiniks iesaistās skaļajā Višvanatas pilsonības strīdā [www.la.lv]
Aizejošā Saeima tomēr noskauž Latvijas pilsonību indiešu zinātniecei [nra.lv]