New twist in Tanvi Seth passport case
A new twist has emerged in the Tanvi Seth passport controversy. In what seemed like another media hitjob and a classic case of minority appeasement, a passport officer in Lucknow was hounded and targeted by the entire leftist ecosystem. It was alleged that the officer, Vikash Mishra denied a passport application made by a Hindu-Muslim couple. Seth claimed that the officer humiliated and harassed the inter-faith couple. She further alleged that the concerned officer shamed her in a very loud and rude manner and that even others could hear him discussing their case. Later on, passport was issued to the applicant by the regional passport office in Lucknow.
As soon as the reports of the incident came into picture, the entire “liberal” cabal naturally went up in arms and targeted the passport officer. The interfaith couple took to twitter and insisted that action be taken against Vikas Mishra. Tanvi Seth also tagged union minister for external affairs, Sushma Swaraj in her tweet. Action was taken against the concerned officer in gross abuse of administrative powers, he was transferred by the authorities and a probe was launched against him without even listening to his version of the incident. The mainstream media which found fodder for bringing in a communal and political angle also ignored Mishra’s side of the story.
Meanwhile, the concerned officer came out defending himself and stating that he merely asked certain questions only because there were certain discrepancies in the documents of the applicant which could pose a threat to “national security”. He further stated, “I asked the lady (Tanvi Seth) about why she has not endorsed her name in the nikahnama and asked her to use the name she had mentioned in the Islamic marriage certificate. Anyone can come up with such documents and it can be a danger to our national security. I am a secular person and do not hold any grudges against anyone.” He accused the interfaith couple of lying and made it clear that he was acting as per rules.
Now, as per the reports that are coming up, it seems that there was actually an element of truth in Vikas Mishra’s narration of the entire fiasco but it had been conveniently brushed under the carpet by certain vested interests. According to an Amar Ujala report, Tanvi Seth has been asked to give passport to police for verification. It is being believed that the entire incident could be reinvestigated even as controversy has erupted over the name and permanent address of the applicant. The passport had been issued in one hour after the incident came to limelight. However, it seems that the regional passport officer is now finding it hard to explain the irregularities in the issue of passport to the interfaith couple.
It is absurd how the crucial document was issued within an hour without any police verification. Tanvi Seth works in Noida but it is bizarre how the passport was issued in Lucknow. According to officers, the address to be given in a passport application is the address at which the applicant is currently residing. Along with this, the permanent address is also to be given. This is in gross violation of the rules relating to issue of passports which state that the passport applicant is to be issued passport at the place where the applicant has been residing for the last six or more months. Moreover, passports are not to be delivered personally but by post. However, succumbing to media and pseudo-secular pressure, the authorities issued a new passport to Seth in gross violation of the passport rules.
It seems that the officer, who was defamed by the entire media establishment on grounds of harassing an interfaith couple, was actually going by the book and he has been targeted merely for fulfilling his duties. tfipost.com had also apprehended that the honest government officer had become victim of media hit job and minority appeasement. This should come as a caveat for the government and administrative authorities not to take action in haste on the basis of biased reports and agenda-run news traders. The government should dutifully make sure that it dispenses with the set procedure before flexing its muscles.