Dunki and Immigration: How the First Modern Passports Evolved?

Context: The recently released film ‘Dunki’ focuses on the issue of immigration.

Film Dunki Focuses on the Issue of Immigration

• The title Dunki is taken from the term “donkey journey”, which refers to the long-winding, often dangerous routes involved in dangerous immigration. 
• These trips are undertaken due to a lack of requisite legal permits or financial resources.
• The film delves into historical context, highlighting the recent origin of visas and passports.

Continue Reading: Bollywood Film ‘Dunki’: What Donkey Route Means?

Evolution of Passport

• Purpose: Passports function as permits and proofs of identity, allowing the residents of one country to travel to another.
• Early Passport Systems:  In France, a permit system similar to ‘Passport System’ had been well established before the French Revolution of 1789. 
  • Internal passports for local travel and overseas passports for foreign trips were mandatory..
  • The French State utilized passports to prevent skilled workers migration and capital outflow.  
• Modern Passport: 
  • Impact of World Wars on Passports: 
    • World War prompted countries to secure their border and regulate entry.
    • In 1914, the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act was enacted and it provided for naturalization of non-citizens and other laws related to citizenship.
    • The first modern passport was a product of this Act. 
• Internationalization: 
  • League of Nations, held Conference on Passports and Customs Formalities to regulate travel through passports in 1920. 
  • The British passport model became widely adopted globally.
• 1920s Passports Legislation: 
  • The 1920s saw laws on passports from countries such as the US.
  • The U.S. passed the Emergency Quota Act of 1921 and later, the Immigration Act of 1924 limiting the inflow of immigrants.

Passport in India

• Origin: As per the Ministry of External Affairs, there was no practice of issuing Indian passports before the First World War.
• Adoption: During the First World War (1914 to 1918), the British government enacted the Defence of India Act making the possession of a passport necessary for leaving and entering India.  

Types of Passports in India

1. Ordinary Passports: These are blue-coloured passports for common citizens. 
2. Diplomat Passports: These maroon-colored passports are issued to Indian diplomats and senior government officials. 
3. Orange Passport: These ECR passports were introduced in 2018 to identify people who are at higher risk of getting exploited. People who have not studied beyond class 10 are issued this ECR (immigration check required) category passport. 
4. White Passport: It’s one of the most powerful passports given to government officials traveling abroad for official work. 

Source: Indian Express

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