The opposition party in Lok Sabha on Wednesday raised an issue of lotus being printed on new passports. The opposing MP alleged that the move was ‘further saffronisation’ by the BJP government.
Lotus on passport
Lotus is an election symbol of the ruling Bharathiya Janatha Party and the new Indian passport included the lotus symbol for considering security measures.
The matter was brought up in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday by MP MK Raghavan who said using the lotus symbol on Indian passports was “further saffronisation” by the government.
MEA’s clarification
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday clarified that the lotus was being printed on Indian passports because of new security measures.
Raveesh Kumar, a spokesperson of MEA said, “This symbol is our national flower and is part of the enhanced security features to identify fake passports.” He added that other national symbols will also be used in the circle.
He also said the new security features have been introduced as part of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines.
“Apart from the lotus, other national symbols will be used on rotation. Right now it is lotus and then next month there will be something else. These are symbols connected with India such as a national flower or national animal,” Kumar said.
