Lucknow passport officer allegedly criticized interfaith couple

NEW DELHI: A Hindu wife and Muslim husband couple Tanvi Seth and Anas Siddiqui said that they had trouble with Vikas Mishra, the Lucknow passport officer for his bigoted behaviour toward an interfaith couple. He defended himself saying that he was just following procedure by asking the couple questions.

"When I reached counter C5, the official, Vikas Mishra, told me there was an issue with my file since I had married a Muslim, and yet retained my maiden name. He shouted at me and insulted me in front of everyone and sent me to the office of an additional passport officer, who was sympathetic to me and asked me to reach the main branch in Gomtinagar on Thursday," said Tanvi, who has a six-year-old daughter with Anas, to TOI.
Tanvi said all her documents were in order but her file was still stalled. The official also called out Anas's name in front of everyone and insulted him, too.

Mishra reportedly mistreated the couple, saying the wife had a different name in her 'nikahnama', or wedding certificate, compared with her other documents. He states that is the reason he asked for more proof.

"She was showing nikahnama that had her name as 'Shazia Anas' but had said on documents that she has not changed her name. Why did she not endorse this on paper? I asked her to endorse her 'nikah' name, but she said she did not want to do that, which is when I sent her to the higher official," said Mishra.

"He told Anas to convert to Hinduism for his passport to be renewed. This is a case of moral policing and religious prejudice. I was made to feel insulted; I broke down," said Tanvi in a tweet addressed to Swaraj.
In a five-part tweet to the minister, and in an email to her, Tanvi also said that she was also asked to "change her name as is the duty of all girls after marriage". In addition, her husband Anas was asked to "convert to Hinduism and take pheras" if he wanted his passport renewed, she alleged.

Mishra also denied saying "it is a duty for a woman to get her name changed after marriage", or telling the husband he should "convert to Hinduism".

"Incorrect," says Mishra, giving his version of what took place.

The passport officer denied he discriminated based on religion."I myself have done an inter-caste marriage. I am not communal and respect and sit with people of all religions," said Mishra.

The external affairs ministry sought a report from the Lucknow office about the unpleasant incident, and said that they would take appropriate action, which they did by transferring Mishra.