The request of hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani for passport will be processed on ‘merit’ depending on completion of ‘formalities’ by him, the Union Home Ministry said, amid a row over the issue that has divided ruling PDP and BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. Home Ministry spokesperson said that Passport is the right of every Indian citizen and is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs after following due process. In case any applicant applies for the passport, he should fulfill all the formalities before his case is processed. As and when the matter is referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs, we will process the case on merit.
PDP has said it would approach the Centre for giving passport to Geelani on ‘humanitarian’ grounds while BJP has said he should not be given the travel document till he ‘apologises’ for his anti-national activities. Sources said Geelani and his family members want to travel to Jeddah and have applied for passports online.
But he has not yet visited the regional passport office in Srinagar to give his biometric data and clicking the photograph. As per the new rules, an applicant must visit the passport office in person to give biometric details and click the photograph. Sources said after Geelani visits the passport office to complete the formalities, his application will be sent to the Ministries of Home and External Affairs for their comments as he falls in 'prior security clearance' category for issuing of a passport. The Ministries, then, in consultation with the Jammu and Kashmir government, would take a final decision on granting the passport to him.
MoneyWorks4Me is a SEBI-registered Investment Adviser (IA) dedicated to helping investors build long-term wealth through transparent, research-driven, conflict-free guidance. Founded in 2008, we started our journey as a Research Analyst (RA), providing deep fundamental analysis, intrinsic value insights, and long-term investing frameworks for Indian equities. In 2017, we transitioned to a full-fledged SEBI-registered Investment Adviser, strengthening our commitment to acting as a fiduciary—always putting the investor’s interest first.
To become India’s most trusted, research-powered fiduciary advisory platform—where every investor, regardless of experience, can make calm, confident, and well-reasoned investment decisions.
MoneyWorks4Me ensures this through: