On February 10, 2016, Jashodaben filed an RTI at her Regional Passport Office requesting marriage-related documents submitted by her estranged husband, PM Narendra Modi in order to get a passport. Did it come out of the blue? No. According to The Times of India, in November 2015, Jashodaben had applied for a passport and had her application rejected as ‘she did not produce a marriage certificate or a joint affidavit to prov that she is married to Modi’. A pertinent point – for if Jashodaben could not get a passport because she neither has a joint affidavit to prove she was married not could she produce a certificate, how did Modi acquire his?

Cut to April 2017, PM Modi has just announced that women no longer have to change their surname post marriage to get a passport.

Speaking through video conference at meeting of the ladies wing of the Indian Merchant Chambers, PM Modi said that producing a marriage certificate or presenting paperwork of divorce is no longer mandatory. Women can give the names of either one of her parents to get a passport.

This move has been called old wine in new bottle by some, while others are hailing it as a step up from the previous dictat.

Most however are overjoyed that the long-suffering Jashodaben can finally get her passport:

“Women need not change their names in passport after marriage anymore: Modi”

Jashodaben’s passport, what’s status? She was struggling for! — Arun Shourie fαи (@FeignShourie) April 13, 2017

Remember Jashodaben? She was denied a passport because she included her husband’s namehttps://t.co/40ErN0B9L8 — Austin Fernandes (@quickbug) April 13, 2017

Yes, it was never required by any law. But he’s just hinting to Jashodaben not to tàg his name along with her’s in her passport. — Ankita Dixit (@AnkitaD08024072) April 13, 2017

Not submitting a marriage certificate is new. Good job. Jashodaben can finally get her passport without being at mercy of her husband https://t.co/qgRWGuXDfq — Austin Fernandes (@quickbug) April 13, 2017

Looks like @narendramodi is finally discovering the passport application process. Maybe Jashodaben will get her passport now? https://t.co/9dq8h8Or38 — #DestroyTheAadhaar (@godavar) April 13, 2017