Gandhigiri - US Style

Update: As reported by Colors, Gandhigiri might have just worked. The article in the Businessweek.com (Dated: July 17, 2007) states, "After two weeks of protests by high-skilled immigrants over a broken promise to expedite the processing of green cards, the White House has approached immigration advocacy groups to work out a compromise. While the talks are ongoing and could still break down, the government is likely to reverse a July 2 decision to refuse more permanent residency applications, and will likely begin accepting them in the next few days."

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It's seems ironic that Indians based in US are doing Gandhigiri to get immigration to US, while "original" Gandhigiri was done by "the man" to get rid of illegal immigrants in India (a.k.a Britishers). Ah, that dreaded "greencard", which can bring greens a plenty (and no am not talking about global warming). I call it dreaded because just the name can bring fear among thousands of Indians living in a limbo in a country that fail to call them its own. They can't go home after spending so much time and effort in a country that gives them everything except the right to live without fear of getting kicked out.


Indians have been flocking American shores for more than a century. They have contributed to the country more than their "own". US on their part have made sure they get the best from the country but have been reluctant in accepting them whole-heartedly. As long as those Indians are useful to them, they are happy but as soon as they start asking for rights, like the right to live without fear, they are shown the door.

This American hypocrisy came to light recently when they first gave hope to thousands of Indians by promising to fasten the green-card application procedure by moving them into final phase of immigration process and gave them a deadline to submit the applications by July 2. But just as the deadline passed away, the promise was retracted. This is the worst thing anyone can do by giving someone hope and then snatching it back like it never existed in the first place.

Indians have protested for the first time in "Gandhigiri" style by sending flowers to director of U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. Will it work again? Who knows but for now the department is sticking to its decision. Although, US policy is baffling because it is allowing millions of illegal aliens (yes that's what US Govt. calls illegals, talk about degradation of humans) from Mexico to get immigration but is reluctant to give the same right to people who are making real difference in the country. I hope better sense will prevail and Gandhigiri will be again successful in freeing his countrymen from the fear, albeit for a different reason altogether.