Owaisi Questions Government on Passport Nationality and NRC Certificates

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday challenged the government's position on passports and citizenship, asking why passports mention 'Nationality: Indian' if they are not conclusive proof of citizenship. He also sought clarity on whether individuals included in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam would receive certificates.

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president was responding to Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy, who had accused Owaisi of misleading the public with his remarks on passports and citizenship. Reddy stated that the Ministry of External Affairs had clarified that passports alone are not conclusive proof of citizenship, which is governed by the Constitution and the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Owaisi, however, pointed to Section 6 of the Passport Act, which states that a passport is not issued if the applicant is not an Indian citizen. 'Why is it printed then on passports 'Nationality: Indian'? It is a Central Act,' he told The Hindu. He also cited the Supreme Court's stance on passports in a judgment related to the SIR (Special Investigation Report).

Referring to the NRC in Assam, which was monitored by the Supreme Court, Owaisi noted that ₹1,100 crore was spent on the exercise. He questioned whether the government would issue certificates to persons other than the 19 lakh applicants who were excluded from the final list.

The exchange highlights ongoing debates around citizenship documentation in India, particularly in Assam, where the NRC was updated to identify illegal immigrants. The issue remains politically sensitive, with various parties holding differing views on the validity of documents like passports and Aadhaar as proof of citizenship.