MEA Clarifies Indian Passport’s Legal Purpose
The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified the legal purpose of an Indian passport amid debate over whether it should be accepted as proof of citizenship during the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
MEA Explains Indian Passport’s Legal Purpose
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said an Indian passport is issued under the Passports Act, 1967, to regulate the departure of Indian citizens from the country.
He added that passports are granted through an established process governed by the Passports Act and the Passports Rules, 1980. Applicants undergo prescribed verification before the document is issued.
The ministry also noted that fewer than 8% of Indian citizens currently possess passports, limiting their usefulness as a universal document for large-scale electoral verification.
Passport Citizenship Proof Debate Continues
The clarification followed questions over whether passports should be accepted as proof of citizenship during the Election Commission’s ongoing revision of electoral rolls in several states.
Senior MEA officials had earlier described the passport primarily as a travel document rather than a standalone citizenship certificate. However, the statutory purpose of a passport and its use as supporting evidence of nationality are separate questions.
The latest statement did not declare passports invalid for all citizenship-related verification. Instead, it explained the purpose for which the document is issued under the law.
Opposition Questions Government’s Position
The Congress criticised the government’s earlier remarks, questioning how a passport issued after verification to an Indian citizen could be excluded from documents considered during citizenship checks.
The party alleged that the government’s position could create uncertainty over the citizenship rights of passport holders.
The Election Commission determines which documents are accepted during electoral-roll revisions. The MEA is responsible for issuing passports but does not decide the documentation requirements for voter registration exercises.
