The tussle over the Lotus symbol being printed on passports for security reasons has sparked outrage among people in India who called it propaganda and the promotion of the symbol of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
"This symbol is our national flower and part of the enhanced security features to identify fake passports," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
However, the news of the replacement of the 'Lion' with the 'Lotus' symbol on Indian passports didn’t go over well with people, with taking to social media to vent their anger.
They made currency uglier. Now they're making passports uglier. Next will be flag,then they'd want us all to get a lotus tattoo on all our foreheads.
— Vidya (@VidyaKrishnan) December 13, 2019
NONE OF THIS IS USEFUL IN ANYWAY TO CITIZENS.
https://t.co/Yz2YsHRb3i
This is total breach of trust and power without informing the parliament. How can any party take decession n what is our constitution about
— SANDYPHILLIPS (@SANDYPH03193492) December 13, 2019
It is a pity that India has already become safronized communist country
BJP has successfully divided the country into hindu vrs others
What fuck is happening?
— Sunil Marks 💎 (@Sunil_Twitz) December 13, 2019
This government doesn’t want to work for GDP, price hike, jobs. But humiliate by lotus n shit symbol on passport ?
Stop dividing people ! pic.twitter.com/v6a0EdVYNi
Not a security feature it is advertisement agenda of BJP.
— Prabh (@Prabh404) December 13, 2019
Lotus as a symbol of enhanced security? Look at economy, social unrest, unemployment, draconian laws passed, failed noteban, bogus gst. Lotus can only be symbol of "security breached".
— #BOYCOTT-ADANI-AMBANI-PRODUCTS (@RawalSagar6) December 13, 2019
Hitler used Swastika everywhere and now here Lotus! History repeating!! pic.twitter.com/aBLPaMc6Od
— Pallavi Idoor (@pallaviidoor) December 13, 2019
The issue also rocked India’s parliament as the opposition Indian National Congress questioned the move. Congress lawmaker M.K. Raghavan of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, said this is a “further saffronisation” of India.
But not all were offended by the new feature of the Indian passport. Many felt the Lotus should not be seen as a party symbol but as the national flower.
#Lotus is very popular in our mythology as It’s perceived as a symbol of divine perfection. Lord Brahma is seen emerging from the navel of Lord Vishnu sitting on a lotus. Goddess Lakshmi is seen sitting on a lotus too.We had lotus on our coins earlier. BJP used it much later. pic.twitter.com/GDCAN9spya
— Jogulamba (@JogulambaV) December 13, 2019
Why didn't no one objected when lotus is made national flower of India? Why didn't no one objected when freedom fighters get 'tamarapatra' certificate? Why didn't no one objected when it was incorporated in currency? Oh then it's Congress government!!!! #lotus
— rajendra reddy (@raaz_ndk) December 13, 2019
An MEA spokesman claimed, the additional security feature had been introduced as part of International Civil Aviation Organisation guidelines.
