“By 2030, only one document will be proof of citizenship…”: Asaduddin Owaisi’s sharp dig at BJP after MEA’s explosive clarification

A political controversy has once again taken centre stage in the national discourse after AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi launched a sharp attack on the Central Government following a clarification from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) regarding citizenship documents.

The row began after the MEA stated during a detailed briefing that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document and cannot be treated as definitive proof of citizenship. The clarification further added that no recent policy change has been made in this regard, and the position has remained consistent over the years.

Reacting strongly, Asaduddin Owaisi took to social media platform X and mocked the Centre, writing:
“According to the government, no document is conclusive proof of citizenship. By 2030, only one document will be proof of citizenship.”

Along with the post, Owaisi also shared an AI-generated image showing a card labelled “Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)”, implying political control over citizenship validation, which further intensified the debate online.

ALSO READ : ‘Where’s Your Father?’ Vijay’s Sharp Assembly Jab Ignites Political Storm Is MK Stalin Planning a Comeback?

The MEA clarification was backed by references to Section 20 of the Passports Act, 1967, which allows the government to issue passports even to non-citizens in special circumstances, if it is considered necessary in the public interest. Officials also pointed out that this legal interpretation is not new and has been supported by judicial rulings, including a 2013 Bombay High Court judgment, which clearly stated that possession of a passport does not establish citizenship.

Adding a counter perspective, BJP leader Amit Malviya defended the government’s stance, stating that the MEA had not introduced any new policy. According to him, the ministry only reiterated a “settled legal position” already upheld by Indian courts multiple times.

He further highlighted that citizenship in India is determined strictly under the Citizenship Act, 1955, and not through travel documents such as passports, which are issued based on eligibility and supporting documentation.

The exchange has triggered a wider political debate, with opposition leaders questioning the timing and clarity of the government’s communication, while ruling party representatives insist that the legal framework has always been consistent.

As the war of words continues, the issue of citizenship documentation in India has once again become a hot topic, blending legal interpretation with political confrontation.