Government clarifies a passport has never been definitive proof of citizenship, citing the Passports Act and Bombay High Court rulings. This statement, reiterating a settled legal position, aims to address recent opposition criticism. While a passport is a crucial travel document, citizenship is determined by the Citizenship Act, 1955, based on various records, not solely by possessing a passport.

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Aaditya Thackeray described the statement as ‘absurd’.

If voter cards are not definitive proof of citizenship and passports too are not, citizens may reasonably ask which document carries that status. | India News