Passport Not Citizenship Proof, A Travel Document: Opposition And BJP Face Off Over MEA Statement
A massive political row has erupted over the Ministry of External Affairs' statement clarifying that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document and does
A massive political row has erupted over the Ministry of External Affairs' statement clarifying that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document and does not serve as conclusive proof of citizenship. The opposition criticised the government, calling the MEA statement absurd and questioning the verification process. In response, the BJP hit back at the opposition, accusing them of misleading the public and labelling them the 'kaagaz nahi dikhayenge' brigade.
The government reiterated that there is no new policy, citing the Passport Act of 1967 and previous rulings by the Bombay High Court in 2013 and the Supreme Court. The law has maintained that multiple documents, such as birth certificates, voter IDs, and land records, are collectively required to establish citizenship under the Citizenship Act of 1955. Passports can even be issued to non-citizens under specific categories.
The clarification comes amid a heated debate over what officially constitutes Indian citizenship. Subscribe to India Today for NEW VIDEOS EVERY DAY and make sure to enable Push Notifications so you'll never miss a new video. All you need to do is PRESS THE BELL ICON next to the Subscribe button! India Today TV is India's leading English News Channel.
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