Prajwal Revanna: What did the Foreign Ministry say?

Prajwal Revanna News: The sexual harassment case against Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna has brought diplomatic passports into the limelight. Daralal Revanna traveled to Germany on a diplomatic passport and did not even seek political approval for it. 

It is said that former PM H.D. Deve Gowda's grandson Revanna had left India on April 27, a day after voting took place in his Hassan constituency for the Lok Sabha elections. Janata Dal (Secular) has already suspended the MP from Hassan from the party.

What did the Foreign Ministry say?

According to PTI, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on May 2 that 'no political approval was neither sought nor issued from us regarding the visit of the said MP to Germany.'

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said, 'Apparently, no visa note was even issued. Diplomatic passport holders do not require a visa to travel to Germany. The ministry has not issued any visa note for any other country.

Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on May 1 urged the Prime Minister to take immediate action to cancel Revanna's diplomatic passport, which was used by the JD(S) leader to travel abroad.

What is a diplomatic passport?

Diplomatic passports, recognizable by their maroon covers. These differ from regular passports mainly in terms of the privileges they enjoy under international law.

According to media reports, diplomatic passports are issued to diplomats and senior government officials for their international travel or official duties. MPs, ministers, diplomats, and some high-ranking government officials also get this passport.

Diplomatic passports are valid for five years or less. However, validity is also determined by how high a position the passport holder holds, or what kind of work he keeps going out for.

Ordinary citizens require a visa for international travel, with holders of diplomatic passports enjoying an exemption in some countries.

Prajwal Revanna's case is related to India's visa exemption agreement with Germany in 2011. The agreement allows Indian diplomatic passport holders to travel to Germany without a visa for up to 90 days.

However, despite visa exemption, individuals holding diplomatic passports are required to obtain prior political clearance for personal trips abroad.