'Visually Distinct Aadhaar For Non-Citizens': Shashi Tharoor's Solution To Prove Indian Citizenship

Published 26 June 2026 · india

'Visually Distinct Aadhaar For Non-Citizens': Shashi Tharoor's Solution To Prove Indian Citizenship Published By, Last Updated: June 26, 2026, 16:42 IST The veteran Congress MP

'Visually Distinct Aadhaar For Non-Citizens': Shashi Tharoor's Solution To Prove Indian Citizenship Published By, Last Updated: June 26, 2026, 16:42 IST The veteran Congress MP called it absurd for authorities to claim that a passport does not serve as proof of citizenship, questioning what document could prove it. Rapid Read Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. (File image) Congress leader Shashi Tharoor weighed in on the passport debate after the Centre said it was not a definitive document of citizenship, calling for a “common sense legislative overhaul" to provide Indians with absolute legal certainty over their identity. Taking to X, Tharoor noted that the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) new clarification had triggered a predictable wave of public debate, as for most people, a passport was usually seen as the ultimate proof of citizenship. “While the government defends this as a long-standing legal position rooted in Section 20 of the Passports Act of 1967 (which technically allows the state to issue passports to non-citizens under rare, public-interest circumstances) this is a distinction without a difference, meaningless to the average citizen," Tharoor said.

The veteran Congress MP called it absurd for authorities to claim that a passport does not serve as proof of citizenship, questioning what document could prove it if a passport, which is issued after such extensive checks, does not. He also recalled that the Supreme Court’s recent observation that the Aadhaar card is merely a proof of identity and residence, not citizenship. The recent statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) – – on #PassportSevaDivas, no less! clarifying that an Indian passport is primarily a “travel document and not conclusive proof of citizenship" has triggered a predictable wave of public bewilderment and…— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 26, 2026 He suggested that the government should amend the legal framework to make both the passport and the Aadhaar card conclusive proofs of Indian citizenship unless they are explicitly cancelled or withdrawn by the state. “Implementing this requires solving a critical administrative hurdle: because Aadhaar is currently issued based on 182 days of local residence rather than nationality, it is held by citizens and non-citizen residents alike.

The solution is straightforward. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) should introduce a visually distinct Aadhaar card (featuring, say, a visible diagonal red stripe across the front), specifically designated for non-citizens living in India," Tharoor said. He said that by demarcating the two categories of citizenship, the state can safely mandate that carrying either a standard citizen’s Aadhaar or a valid passport is compulsory and sufficient proof of citizenship for all Indian nationals at all times. “This dual-document policy would immediately streamline domestic verification, eliminate arbitrary bureaucratic challenges during electoral revisions, and provide every Indian with absolute, unquestionable legal certainty regarding their identity." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int...