India-Pakistan passport.
The Government of India has clarified that Indian passport is not a proof of citizenship. This is just an important document for permission to travel abroad and to ensure identity abroad. The government had to clarify this because people are considering passport, Aadhaar or water card as proof of citizenship, which is not the complete truth. The usefulness of all these documents has already been decided. Indian citizenship is determined by the rules written in the Citizen Ship Act 1955. Let us understand the reform journey of passport in the country on this pretext. Also know what is the truth about the joint passport of India-Pakistan after partition?
After independence, there have been many reforms in the passport issue in the country. When the country became independent, neither India nor Pakistan had adequate facilities and technology. Today the number of Passport Seva Kendras in the country is more than 500. The government aims to have at least one Passport Seva Kendra in every Lok Sabha constituency by next year i.e. 2027. Still only 10 percent of the population in the country has a passport. At present, Indian passport holders have visa free entry in 27 countries. Visa on arrival facility is available in 47 countries. 66 countries provide e-Visa facility.
A common passport was in force during the British rule.
There was a common passport system during the British rule. People were familiar with the same system. The country became independent in the year 1947 and British rule ended. But, it was not possible to change the administration immediately. Office, printing and transition of rules was taking time. Many old documents and some shared arrangements continued to operate in this void. Lakhs of people crossed the border immediately after partition. It was not possible for everyone to get new passports immediately, so temporary documents were given. These may be called special passes, travel permits or remaining copies of British-Indian passports. It was difficult to stop the movement of people. The administration adopted several simple measures to reduce disruption.
India-Pakistan passport.
Both governments of India and Pakistan are new, challenges also
The governments of both India and Pakistan were running new countries. Making arrangements was a challenge in itself. The network for issuing passports was far behind in priority. In such a situation, both of them kept the system in place. It was certain that it would take time to create a new system. The entire system had to be rebuilt. Paper, printing, appointment of officials, all required time. Therefore, both the new governments retained some old processes. This was not actually a joint arrangement, but a system of shared infection. By doing this the problems faced by the people across the border were reduced. It was the job of the law to create a new citizenship structure and passport rules.
Many international countries considered British-Indian documents valid at that time. The new governments needed time to get their passports recognized internationally. Therefore old or shared forms were resorted to. This happened for both diplomatic and practical reasons.
Partition, displacement and identity
At the time of partition between India and Pakistan, the identity of both the countries was very unstable. Many people got stuck without documents. Village, relatives, land, everything was left behind. People were only paying attention to their families and belongings. The priority of getting a passport made was not possible for many. Therefore, the local administration gave simple passes or travel papers to the refugees. These were the result of lack of resources and the need for relief operations. And it continued like this for some years.
On 9 July 1953, both the governments signed an agreement, the objective of which was to gradually remove the old system and start passport and visa facilities. It has been made mandatory to clearly mention in the visa how long the visa holder will stay and where he will stay. Before this, traveling was done without passport.
Rules for visa were fixed in the agreement
The visa rules were eased for applicants to visit relatives, for business purposes or for religious travel. Visa rules were easy in matters of education and property distribution. Arrangements were also made to provide concessions in the case of elderly, children and women. Before the agreement came into force, people continued to cross the borders for business, religious pilgrimage or family reunion. Both countries granted special permits and passes from time to time. These documents themselves gave the meaning of joint passport. But they were not permanent passports. They were temporary and purpose-based, which gradually ended.
Political reasons also made the relationship uncomfortable.
Relations between the two countries were not immediately clear. There was also a fight. There was tension also. But, on many bilateral issues, consensus was reached and sometimes deteriorated. Earlier people used to come and go from anywhere. There were no restrictions. After the agreement, it was decided through which border posts people would have to travel. For this, facilities were created on the borders. It was also decided that action would be taken against those trying to enter without valid documents. But earlier many agreements were also made which were immediately necessary. In such a situation, this cooperation appeared in the form of a joint document. But, it was not a perfect partnership. This was a compulsion and need of both the countries. There were changes in visa rules from time to time. In the year 1974, visa rules were once again changed in view of the prevailing circumstances.
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This is the truth about joint passport
No system like joint passport was ever actually implemented. This is true only of the immediate arrangements after partition. Making a passport was not just a matter of paper. Technology was limited. Both the countries did not even have similar infrastructure. Hence the shared utility of the old currency and printing set up continued. Due to this, similar documents continued to be issued at some places. With time, some things remain stuck in people’s memories. Many people noticed that some documents worked in both countries. Due to this the concept of joint passport became popular. In history, local experience and official records often appear to be at odds. Therefore some stories state that the passport was shared. In fact, it was the result of shared transition and temporary agreements.
In simple words, the effect of joint passport after partition was a combination of many reasons. Administrative continuity, human displacement, interim diplomacy and technological limitations were key. This cooperation was necessary. But it was never a permanent partnership or a new joint citizenship document. This was a transitional solution. Time has put an end to it. These episodes in history remind us of those times of emergency and humanitarian challenges.
Also read: Opium was grown in India and sold to China, how the British destroyed generations?
