Passport regulates departure, not proof of citizenship: Centre
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that an Indian passport is a travel document used to regulate departure and does not serve as proof of citizenship. This statement comes amidst ongoing debates regarding document requirements for electoral roll revisions.
Why it matters
The clarification addresses legal and political concerns regarding citizenship verification and the rights of Indian citizens.
A passport is a travel document, not proof of citizenship, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated on Tuesday, saying it is issued by the government to regulate the departure of Indian citizens from the country. "An Indian passport is a document that, as per the Passports Act, 1967, is issued by the Government of India to regulate the departure from India of citizens of India," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during his weekly briefing, in response to a question on the matter.
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