Tata Consultancy Services which is currently the vendor for processing passport application forms for Regional Passport Office has been in continual violation of Fundamental Rights of Muslim citizens of India.
TCS and its staff has been demanding Muslim women and girls to remove their head scarves for taking pictures at the photo booths of Passport Seva Kendras. As per Passport Application Rules, applicants who wear head coverings for religious reasons can wear scarves as long as the applicants facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead are visible. However, TCS has been insisting upon removal of head scarves of female muslim applicants. Neither Passport Rules nor International Standard Rules nor ICAO Rules demand removal of head coverings of those who wear it for religious reasons.
TCS is plainly and deliberately ignoring these rules and insulting the religious beliefs and violating Right to Freedom of Religion and Conscience of Muslim citizens. An FIR in this matter has been lodged against TCS Toli Chowki at Golconda Police Station by Barrister Siddiqui acting for Helpline Legal on behalf of Muslim citizens.
Advisory issued by Government of India on photographs, also available at www.passportindia.gov.in, clearly shows images of applicants wearing scarves and their photographs that are acceptable. Despite the advisory, TCS appears to be acting ultra vires and in flagrant breach of rules and fundamental rights of citizens of India.