MPCA against Aadhaar

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, MAY 16: The Meghalaya People’s Committee on Aadhaar (MPCA) today demanded the state government to withhold the Aadhaar enrollment drive in the state due to various reasons.

In a letter to the chief minister Mukul Sangma here, MPCA leaders said, “We would like to bring before our reservations for Aadhaar enrolment drive being undertaken in the state and urge upon you to instead withdraw such activity with immediate effect.”

The demand came following media reports indicating that the enrollment of residents with Aadhaar is restarting especially in East Khasi Hills District which is taking off from this month.

Citing various reasons behind the opposition against the enrollment drive, they pointed out that the interim order passed by the Supreme Court on August 11, 2015 has ruled that UIDAI/Aadhaar will not be used for any other purposes except PDS, kerosene and others and Aadhaar card will not be mandatory.

Again on March 27, this year, the Supreme Court affirmed that Aadhaar cannot be mandatory for availing benefits under welfare schemes, they said.

According to them, further as of April, 2017, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India is considering the legal validity of Aadhaar on right to privacy grounds.

On the issue of citizenship, the MPCA said that with the 2016 amendment to Indian Citizenship Act of 1955 together with having Aadhaar enrollment can instead of providing security to genuine Indian citizens, will create more social instability thereby, creating law and order problem too due to apprehensions of the general public.

Further pointing out on the issue of influx, the Committee said, “Since 1979, as we apprehend demographic imbalance and other ills which would defeat the very objective for having a separate State and protection of provisions under the Sixth Schedule, the Aadhaar identification will put this exercise of putting a check on influx into futility.”

Meanwhile, the MPCA also claimed that there is a strong reservation from the general public for Aadhaar enrollment in view that up till May 7, enrollment of Aadhaar by the residents of the state is only 2,78,906, i.e. only 9 % of its population with Assam only 7 % having enrolled with Aadhaar.

“Therefore, it would unethical to push or persuade people of the State to go for Aadhaar enrollment through various ways and means or indirect mandatory approach through educational institutions, unorganised labour sector and misinformation,” it stated.

Stating that along with Assam and Jammu & Kashmir, residents of Meghalaya have been exempted from producing Aadhaar number/card, it said, “This should be highlighted and made known at all levels through constant/periodical public awareness that Aadhaar is voluntary and not mandatory. And no other kind of misinformation and intimidation.”

The Committee also suggested the need to hold public hearing to ensure informed consent must be obtained before Aadhaar enrollment is undertaken.

With regards to the authenticity of company conducting the enrollment, the Committee said there are substantial number of persons who have faked Aadhaar on an All India basis and the onus for such outcome has been put on States and companies carrying out the enrollment by the Centre.

“Therefore, such a result creates more confusion, insecurity and controversy on Aadhaar enrollment. In the light of the aforementioned, there is no need for an overdrive on Aadhaar enrollment,” it added.