The latest news headlines are dominated by an intriguing matter concerning over 27 lakh people in Assam, as their enrolment for Aadhaar has come to a standstill. This delay is primarily attributed to the prolonged process of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Following the NRC’s publication in August 2019, the biometrics of these people were frozen. The Centre was previously requested to unfreeze the biometrics considering that the NRC had not yet been declared as an official document for citizenship.
Understanding Aadhaar and its Significance
Aadhaar refers to a 12 digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on the Indian Government’s behalf. Implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in July 2016 under the Aadhaar Act 2016, the UIDAI serves as a statutory authority. Aadhaar acts as proof of identity and address throughout the country. It comes in two forms- physical and electronic, also known as e-Aadhaar. Any resident of India, regardless of age, sex, or class, can avail it.
National Register of Citizens: A Closer Look
The NRC is a register prepared for each village, indicating the houses or holdings in serial order and assigning each house or holding the number and names of individuals residing therein. Initially created after the 1951 Census of India, it has recently been updated exclusively in Assam, with plans for nationwide roll-out. Its primary aim is to distinguish between “illegal” immigrants and “legitimate” residents.
The Controversial NRC Issue in Assam: A Brief Background
Assam has been grappling with widespread illegal migration from erstwhile East Pakistan and, post-1971, from present-day Bangladesh. This led to the six-year Assam movement from 1979 to 1985, demanding the deportation of illegal migrants. The Assam Accord was then signed in 1985, setting the cut-off date for illegal migrant deportation as 25th March 1971.
Legal Proceedings and Amendments
A Non-governmental Organization (NGO) named Assam Public Works filed a petition with the Supreme Court (SC) in 2009, calling for the identification and deportation of illegal Bangladeshis residing in Assam. In 2014, the SC ordered a time-bound NRC update.
The Current Scenario
In 2018, the prospect of sample re-verification was considered by the SC, proposing re-verifying 10% of names included in the NRC. However, this idea was dismissed later on. The Assam state government provided the latest data regarding ‘foreigner’ detection in the state, emphasizing the need for re-verification for a correct NRC. A delay has also been observed in issuing rejection slips to over 19 lakh excluded individuals so that they can contest their nationality in court. This delay has been attributed to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the floods in the state.
