Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has called for amending the Citizenship Act, 1955, to include passport and Aadhaar as valid proofs of citizenship. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Tharoor argued that these documents should be legally recognized to simplify the process for citizens to establish their nationality.
Proposal for Legal Recognition
Tharoor highlighted that currently, the Citizenship Act does not explicitly list passport or Aadhaar as proof of citizenship. He proposed an amendment to Section 8 of the Act, which deals with the renunciation of citizenship, to include these documents. The MP stated that such a change would reduce bureaucratic hurdles for ordinary citizens.
According to Tharoor, many Indians face difficulties when required to prove their citizenship for various official purposes. He cited examples of people being asked for multiple documents, leading to delays and harassment. The amendment, he said, would streamline processes and align with the government's digital India initiatives.
Government's Response
Responding to Tharoor's proposal, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the government would examine the suggestion. Rai noted that the Citizenship Act already provides for various proofs, and any amendment would require careful consideration. He emphasized that Aadhaar is primarily a proof of identity and residence, not citizenship, while passport is issued only to citizens.
The minister added that the government has taken steps to simplify citizenship documentation through online portals and digitization. However, he did not commit to any immediate legislative action.
Broader Implications
Tharoor's proposal has sparked debate among lawmakers and legal experts. Some argue that recognizing Aadhaar as citizenship proof could raise privacy concerns, as the document contains biometric data. Others contend that it would ease access to services for marginalized communities who often lack traditional documents.
Tharoor clarified that his amendment would not replace existing proofs but supplement them, ensuring that citizens have multiple options. He stressed that the goal is to reduce reliance on arbitrary documentation requirements that vary across government departments.
Historical Context
The Citizenship Act has been amended several times, most recently in 2019 with the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which fast-tracked citizenship for non-Muslim immigrants from neighboring countries. Tharoor's proposal focuses on proof of citizenship for existing Indian citizens, not new applicants.
Legal experts note that the Supreme Court has previously ruled that Aadhaar cannot be mandatory for availing government benefits, but it can be used for identity verification. The proposed amendment would need to address these constitutional concerns.
