Understanding the Role of Passports in Citizenship: A Controversy Unfolds

Clarification on Passports and Citizenship

This week, the Ministry of External Affairs made a statement during the 14th Passport Seva Divas, emphasizing that a passport serves primarily as a travel document and does not inherently serve as proof of citizenship. This announcement has sparked criticism, particularly from noted writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar.

At 81 years old, Akhtar expressed his discontent, labeling the government's stance as absurd. He posed a thought-provoking question on social media platform X, asking how the government can issue passports if it is not entirely convinced of an applicant's citizenship. While this inquiry seems reasonable, the legal implications are more complex.

The ongoing discussion highlights a significant issue: as of June 2026, India lacks a single document that is legally recognized as definitive proof of citizenship. This gap is what Akhtar and many others on social media are emphasizing.