Kerala Passes Nativity Card Bill, Minister Cites CAA Background
The Nativity Card Bill was presented in the House on Monday in the absence of opposition UDF members, who had boycotted the proceedings over the Sabarimala gold loss case
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala on Tuesday passed the Nativity Card Bill in the State Assembly, paving the way for residents to declare themselves formally as Keralites.
The move was met with strong resistance from the Congress-led United Democratic Front, which staged a protest and walked out of the House.
Background of the Bill
The Kerala Cabinet had granted in principle approval for the initiative in December 2025. The legislation introduces a permanent, photo-embedded nativity card, designed to ensure that individuals no longer face difficulties in proving their identity or place of residence in the state.
Revenue Minister K Rajan, who introduced the bill on Monday, had stated that the measure was necessitated by the Centre's unilateral implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). He emphasised that the card would allow Malayalis, regardless of where they currently live, to assert their identity with pride.
Key provisions: The Nativity Card will function along the lines of the existing nativity certificate. The eligibility includes individuals born in Kerala, those with at least one ancestor born in Kerala, provided they have not acquired foreign citizenship and children born outside the state while their parents were employed elsewhere.
The government clarified that the card is intended as a cultural and identity marker, not a substitute for other official documents.
Political reactions: The LDF hailed the Bill as a step toward safeguarding Malayali identity, the opposition UDF dismissed it as politically motivated and staged a walkout. The BJP criticised the move, warning that it could encourage "dangerous separatist politics."
