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Indian Embassy assures passport guidelines are hijab-friendly

Abu Dhabi - The official said the embassy intervened following complaints from applicants.

Indian Embassy has revoked a controversial move by the BLS to insist Muslim women should show their ears in photos while submitting passport applications.
M Rajamurugan, Consular - Passport and Visa section at the embassy, said the existing rules are hijab-friendly and no new guidelines have been issued.
"Muslim women who wear head scarf or hijab need not reveal their ears in Indian passport photos. There was some communication gap that caused the confusion. We have clarified the matter and the rules remain the same," Rajamurugan told Khaleej Times.
BLS, which manages the passport and visa services for the Indian missions in the UAE, had recently drawn ire from a section of the customers for refusing to accept applications from Muslim women who submitted photos with Hijab that covered their ears.
The official said the embassy intervened following complaints from applicants.
"Both Muslim women who wearhijab and men who wear turban are exempted as the guidelines are clear on exempting people who wear headgear for religious purpose."
BLS was not available for a comment. But the guidelines for the passport photo on its website states that 'head coverings are not permitted, except for religious and medical reasons'.
As per the norm, the photo should have full face, front view with eyes opened. Facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown.
"Head gears (e.g. Arabic head gear) which are not part of Indian culture are not allowed for passport application even if their current passport is having the same photograph. However, the same can be accepted for visa application," says one of the guidelines. However, head coverings for male Sikhs, Muslim ladies and Muslim male maulanas are acceptable for passport photographs.
Rajamurugan said the detailed guidelines for passport photos along with demonstrative pictures will soon be made available on the Indian embassy's website.
"Our aim is to serve the people and we will make all the relevant information available on the public domain in order to avoid any inconvenience to the public. If they face any difficulties, we are always here to help."
anjana@khaleejtimes.com