Guwahati: A fiery political storm is brewing in Assam following the state government’s controversial decision to temporarily suspend the issuance of Aadhaar cards for individuals above 18, with the exception of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and tea garden communities.
The move, intended to prevent the alleged misuse of Aadhaar by illegal foreigners, has been lambasted by All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) legislator Rafiqul Islam, who has dubbed it a “Tughlaqi order.”
Speaking to a gaggle of reporters on Friday, a visibly miffed Islam accused the government of a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise a large section of its own citizens. “If a foreigner is found, the government should detain him and send him back. Why issue him an Aadhaar card and add him to the voter list? The one-month time limit given to Indian citizens under the pretext of foreigners is simply a Tughlaqi order,” he fumed.
Islam didn’t stop there, alleging that the timing of the decision was a calculated, politically motivated move. He pointed to its coincidence with the launch of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming the government’s true motive was to prevent specific communities from securing Aadhaar cards, thereby restricting their participation in the crucial voter list revision process.
The state Cabinet’s decision, announced just a day prior, has already thrown a spanner in the works, triggering widespread concern among citizens and political observers alike. Many are worried about the potential difficulties genuine citizens might face in accessing various government services and benefits that are now inextricably linked with Aadhaar. The political debate around this contentious issue is only just beginning, promising to be a long and arduous one.
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