BJP Slams Kerala’s Proposed Nativity Card as Dangerous Separatist Politics

The Kerala government’s decision to introduce a permanent, photo-embedded Nativity Card has triggered a sharp political backlash, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) branding the move as “dangerous separatist politics.” The controversy erupted a day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the state Cabinet had approved the proposal in principle.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Vijayan said the initiative aims to end the repeated burden on citizens to prove their identity, place of birth, or long-term residency in Kerala. He argued that the current system, which relies on nativity certificates, is inefficient and often forces people to obtain the same document multiple times for different purposes.

“It is deeply concerning that people are compelled to struggle to prove their own existence. No one should be pushed to the margins or excluded. For that, a legally valid document with statutory backing is essential,” the Chief Minister said.

Vijayan explained that while a nativity certificate establishes a person’s birth or long-term residence in the state, it does not enjoy clear statutory legal validity. As a result, citizens are repeatedly asked to reapply for the certificate to access various government services. According to him, this long-standing issue has been raised consistently by the public and has now been addressed by the government.

Under the proposed system, the Nativity Card will serve as a permanent, legally recognised document, replacing the existing nativity certificate for social requirements and state government services. Once implemented, it is also expected to function as a beneficiary identity card for government welfare schemes, streamlining access to public services.

To provide the Nativity Card with formal legal backing, the Cabinet has directed the Revenue Department to draft a comprehensive law in consultation with the Law Department. The draft legislation will be placed before the Cabinet for final approval. Vijayan said the responsibility of issuing the cards will rest with tahsildars across the state.

However, the announcement has drawn fierce criticism from the BJP. Reacting strongly, the party said the proposal smacks of “dangerous separatist politics” and could set a troubling precedent.

Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the party would mount a legal challenge against the decision. He argued that the idea of a separate identity document for Keralans was extreme and unnecessary, claiming that “even separatist organisations have not demanded a special identity passport for the people of Kerala.”

Chandrasekhar further alleged that the move was politically motivated and aimed at diverting public attention from the ruling Left Democratic Front’s setback in the recent local body elections. He accused Chief Minister Vijayan of attempting to create unwarranted fear and confusion among citizens instead of addressing pressing governance issues.

As the debate intensifies, the proposed Nativity Card has become the latest flashpoint in Kerala’s charged political landscape, raising questions about identity, federalism, and the balance between administrative reform and political optics. With the Revenue Department yet to draft the law, the issue is expected to face both legal scrutiny and sustained political contestation in the weeks ahead.