Javed Akhtar finds MEA ‘not proof of citizenship’ comment ABSURD, raises concern over illegal immigration |
Javed Akhtar has slammed the Foreign Office after it claimed a passport is a travel document and not proof of citizenship. The veteran writer and lyricist called the position absurd and raised pointed questions about how authorities distinguish genuine citizens from illegal immigrants.
Javed Akhtar’s strong response to MEA
The controversy arose over the 14th edition of the Passport Seva Divas, when the MEA asserted that passports are primarily travel documents issued to facilitate international travel and that holding one does not in itself constitute citizenship. The statement sparked a heated debate on social media, especially since passports in India are issued exclusively to Indian citizens.The 81-year-old went to X to question the logic of the ministry’s position. He wrote: “The Ministry of External Affairs says that a passport is a travel document, not a proof of citizenship. Really??? So they are providing this travel document to some people without being fully convinced that that person is an Indian citizen?? It’s absurd.”When another user pointed out that documents com Aadhaarvoter ID cards and PAN cards are also not considered proof of citizenship, Akhtar doubled down. He replied: “Who in the system is giving such unconditional help to these illegal immigrants. Under such undesirable circumstances, how do they differentiate between fake and genuine citizens, except at the whim of some petty official.”
What counts as proof of citizenship in India?
The debate has drawn renewed attention to the question of what constitutes conclusive evidence of Indian citizenship. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court, during hearings on special intensive review of electoral rolls, clarified that Aadhaar is not conclusive proof of citizenship and serves only as an identity document. Similarly, a voter ID card is treated as a document of identity and residence rather than a document of citizenship.According to Indian citizenship laws, a person born in the country on or after January 26, 1950, but before July 1, 1987, is a citizen by birth. For those born after July 1987, citizenship by birth applies if at least one parent was an Indian citizen. For those born on or after December 3, 2004, both parents must be Indian citizens, or one parent must be a citizen and the other must not be an illegal immigrant at the time of birth.
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