On February 10, 2016, Jashodaben filed an RTI at her Regional Passport Office requesting marriage-related documents submitted by her estranged husband, PM Narendra Modi in order to get a passport. Did it come out of the blue? No. According to The Times of India, in November 2015, Jashodaben had applied for a passport and had her application rejected as ‘she did not produce a marriage certificate or a joint affidavit to prov that she is married to Modi’. A pertinent point – for if Jashodaben could not get a passport because she neither has a joint affidavit to prove she was married not could she produce a certificate, how did Modi acquire his?
Cut to April 2017, PM Modi has just announced that women no longer have to change their surname post marriage to get a passport.
Speaking through video conference at meeting of the ladies wing of the Indian Merchant Chambers, PM Modi said that producing a marriage certificate or presenting paperwork of divorce is no longer mandatory. Women can give the names of either one of her parents to get a passport.
This move has been called old wine in new bottle by some, while others are hailing it as a step up from the previous dictat.
Most however are overjoyed that the long-suffering Jashodaben can finally get her passport:
“Women need not change their names in passport after marriage anymore: Modi”
Jashodaben’s passport, what’s status? She was struggling for!— Arun Shourie fαи (@FeignShourie) April 13, 2017
Remember Jashodaben? She was denied a passport because she included her husband’s namehttps://t.co/40ErN0B9L8
— Austin Fernandes (@quickbug) April 13, 2017
Yes, it was never required by any law. But he’s just hinting to Jashodaben not to tàg his name along with her’s in her passport.
— Ankita Dixit (@AnkitaD08024072) April 13, 2017
Not submitting a marriage certificate is new. Good job. Jashodaben can finally get her passport without being at mercy of her husband https://t.co/qgRWGuXDfq
— Austin Fernandes (@quickbug) April 13, 2017
Looks like @narendramodi is finally discovering the passport application process. Maybe Jashodaben will get her passport now? https://t.co/9dq8h8Or38
— #DestroyTheAadhaar (@godavar) April 13, 2017
Ab jashodaben ko milega passport. https://t.co/f0Q1C5no87
— Rawal Sagar (@RawalSagar6) December 24, 2016
