Oommen Chandy opposes orange passport, says it will be discriminatory

Former chief minister Oommen Chandy on Monday came out with strong criticism against a move by the central government to issue orange color passports for those who did not clear their class 10 examination. Chandy called the proposed move discriminatory.

In a strongly worded facebook post, Oommen Chandy said that the proposed move will end up in drawing discriminatory lines between those who are educated and others who were not lucky to be educated. The move will only discriminate and disrespect the Indian citizens abroad and it should not go forward, he added.

“If the proposed move becomes a reality, an Indian citizen who holds an orange color passport will be treated with disdain once he lands in a foreign country. People will be mistreated on the color of their passports, which should never happen,” Oommen Chandy said.

The proposed move by the external affairs ministry of India will have an impact on the dignity of scores of labors who are toiling in foreign countries, Chandy said.