MEA denies reports over single mother passport rules

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday denied media reports that an unwed mother would have to declare how she conceived while applying for her child's passport.

MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said any single parent had to furnish only two documents - the birth certificate of the child and an affidavit before a magistrate.

"In all cases, whether it is a mother who is a single parent, or a father who is a single parent, the Ministry of External Affairs only asks for two documents. The document number one is a birth certificate from the registrar of births about the birth of a child. This is normal. Number two is an affidavit which the signal parent swears before a magistrate," said Akbaruddin.

A section of media reported that a government lawyer had told the Bombay High Court that an unwed mother must file an affidavit stating how she has conceived, and if she was raped, and why she does not want the father's name included.

Akbaruddin added the government does not stand for such discrimination.

"We will certainly examine the lawyers' version of this. But if your report is correct, it is absolutely contrary to what the Government of India or the Ministry of External Affairs stands for. We don't stand for gender discrimination. We don't countenance insensitivity in such matters," added Akbaruddin.