Nabadwip Couple Get Birth Certificate For Their Newborn Without Surname

Pratap Chandra Das with the birth certificate of his newborn sonPratap Chandra Das with the birth certificate of his newborn son

Krishnanagdar, July 8: The Nadia administration on Thursday handed over the birth certificate to the Nabadwip based couple for their newborn son who were earlier denied it by the local Municipality authorities for not affixing a surname to the name of the child in the prescribed application format.

The couple Pratap Chandra Das and Moushumi Debnath, residents of Sarkarpara claimed that since the surname associated with caste and religion, they decided to avoid affixing a surname to their child’s name as it creates divisions in society. The couple claimed that they do not practice or have faith in caste and religion. 

However, Nabadwip Municipality chairman Bimankrishna Saha refused to issue the birth certificate for their newborn without a surname claiming it ‘unconventional’. Saha also insisted that the couple should submit supporting court or government order to obtain the birth certificate as per their demand.

Responding to a news article on the issue published in an English daily as well as in newsfromnadia.in, the Nadia administration showing much alacrity arranged to issue the birth certificate to the couple on Wednesday.

Nabadwip Municipality Refused To Issue Birth Certificate To A Newborn Without A Surname

SDO, Krishnanagar Sadar Manish Verma said, “Deciding the name of a minor falls exclusively under the domain of fundamental and legal rights of his natural or legal guardians and the state has no locus standi in this matter”.

“In this connection, we came across a judgment of Madras High court in a case between N.G.Balakeishnan and State of Tamilnadu (2016) where the court upheld the right of the parents and wards for not to be compelled to declare their religion or caste while seeking admission into the educational institutions …”, the SDO added.

“Deciding the name of a minor falls exclusively under the domain of fundamental and legal rights of his natural or legal guardians and the state has no locus standi in this matter” – Manish Verma, SDO (Krishnanagar Sadar)

After receiving the birth certificate, an elated father of the child Pratap Chandra Das said, “I am very much thankful to the Nadia administration who has admitted my point and acted upon fast to issue the birth certificate of my son.”

Nabadwip Municipality chairman Bimankrishna Saha, however, refused to offer any further comment on the issue.

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