Javed Akhtar has sharply criticised the Ministry of External Affairs after it stated that 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 sharp response to MEA
The controversy emerged on the occasion of the 14th Passport Seva Divas, when the MEA stated that passports are primarily travel documents issued to facilitate international travel and that possessing one does not by itself establish citizenship. The statement triggered a heated debate on social media, particularly since passports in India are issued exclusively to Indian citizens.The 81-year-old took to X to question the logic behind the ministry’s position. He wrote, “The Ministry of External Affairs says that a passport is a document for travel, not proof of citizenship. Really??? So are they providing this travel document to some people without being totally convinced that this person is an Indian citizen?? It is absurd.”When another user pointed out that documents like Aadhaar, Voter ID, and PAN cards are also not considered proof of citizenship, Akhtar doubled down. He responded, “Who in the system is giving such unconditional help to these illegal immigrants. Under such undesirable circumstances, how do they differentiate between the fake and the genuine citizens except on the whim of some petty official.”
What counts as proof of citizenship in India?
The debate has brought renewed attention to the question of what actually constitutes conclusive proof of Indian citizenship. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court, during hearings on the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls, clarified that Aadhaar is not conclusive proof of citizenship and serves only as a document of identity. A voter ID card, similarly, is treated as an identity and residence document rather than a citizenship document.Under 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 with the other not being an illegal immigrant at the time of birth.
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