Lotus Symbol On Passports A Security Feature: MEA

Facing opposition backlash in the Lok Sabha over the use of ‘lotus’ symbol on new passports, the Foreign Ministry has clarified that it was a security feature to identify fake passports.

The ministry also said that other national symbols will be used on rotation basis. “This symbol is our national flower and is part of the enhanced security features to identify fake passports,” ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said on Thursday.

“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 the national flower or the national animal,” he said.

Earlier, MK Raghavan of Congress had said the lotus was BJP’s poll symbol and alleged that’s its use on passports would lead to “further saffronisation” of a government establishment.