The Nadia administration has issued a birth certificate to the newborn of the Nabadwip couple who chose not to affix a surname to the son’s name.

The Telegraph had reported how Nabadwip Municipality chairman Bimankrishna Saha had refused to issue the birth certificate without a surname claiming it “unconventional”. He had insisted that the couple submit supporting court or government orders to obtain the certificate.

Sarkarpara residents Pratap Chandra Das and Moushumi Debnath had insisted that they would not attach a surname to their son’s name to label his caste and religion, which they felt “created divisions in society”.

Following The Telegraph’s report, Nadia administration showed alacrity to issue the birth certificate. Krishnagar Sadar SDO Manish Verma said deciding the name of a minor fell under the domain of fundamental and legal rights of his or her natural or legal guardians. The state has no locus standi in this matter.”