Lotus replaces lion in Kerala passport, Congress roars over change in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: Congress on Wednesday sought a high-level inquiry into the printing of the “lotus symbol” on new passports being distribution in Kozhikode, Kerala, instead of the “lion symbol”.
Raghavan quoted media reports to allege that the lotus symbol was printed inside a rectangle on the page where the passport officers signature and seal are seen. Earlier, the box contained a lion symbol, he said.
Congress MP M K Raghavan raised the matter in Lok Sabha on Wednesday afternoon and quoted newspapers as having reported the incident. Referring to the incident as a “further saffronisation” of the government establishment, Raghavan demanded the immediate withdrawal of the booklets and to institute a high-level inquiry into the matter.
Though minister of external affairs S Jaishankar was in Lok Sabha when the issue was raised and Raghavan sought the governments clarification in the subject, Jaishankar did not respond to the Congress MPs query.
Later, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also demanded a clarification from Jaishankar but was denied permission by Speaker Om Birla who said ministers cannot reply in the House without prior notice.
Chowdhurys persistent demands during Zero Hour also led to a heated exchange between Read More – Source