‘Aadhar’ as an Issue of Discussions.

Prepared By: Mr. Wanlambok Lyngwa.

Aadhar in India now, has become one of the burning topics which are commonly
discussed. The Government of India is linking each and every aspect of life to Aadhar, from
receiving beneficial scheme, in availing scholarship, pensions, up to the point of buying and
selling commodities. At present, the Supreme Court of India has made it mandatory for all the
citizens to link it with Bank Accounts, fill up taxes, SIM Cards, and many other pubic
schemes and beneficiaries. Therefore, in this situation, it is but natural to know how Aadhar
number is so important and why some people are not involving themselves with this Scheme.
So, in this essay, an attempt is made to highlight some of the key facts about Aadhar Card, its
utility and merits along with some current concerning issues which are commonly discussed
by many about this card.

Aadhar is a term derived from the Sanskrit word Adhara meaning ‘foundation’. It is a
unique-identity number issued to all residents based on their biometric (photograph, iris-scan,
fingerprints) and demographic data (residence data information like PoA, PoI, DOB, marital
status). The data is collected by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which
is a legal authority established on 28 January 2009 by the Government of India. In April 2010,
the logo and the brand name Aadhar were launched by Mr.Nandan Nilekani, the co-founder
of Infosys of an IT-based Company, which was appointed by the then UPA government to
head the project. Aadhar as introduced by the Government of India is a project with the
objective to collect biometric and demographic data of residents, store them in a centralized
database, and issue a 12 digit unique identity number to each individual/ residents.
.
Since Aadhar Card is meant for individuals, therefore each member of the family will
be provided with only one Aadhar number and not multiple unique ID numbers. So, with a
single identity card for everyone, it will eliminate large numbers of duplicate and mask/ fake
identities that are available in government and private databases. The UIDAI specifically aims
to extend social and financial services to the poor, remove corrupt practices, to eliminate
duplicate and fake identities, and to hold government officials accountable. This number will
also reduce the involvement of people who drain off part of the subsidy. In this new system,
by linking it directly with individual bank account, the cash will be transferred directly to
individual bank accounts. The MNREGS schemes, wages, scholarships, pensions and health
benefits will get direct cash transfers to the beneficiary account after linking of Aadhar
number. An Aadhar enabled DCT (Direct Cash Transfer) will improve the situation and
would ensure timely payment, reduce transaction costs and leakages to the intended
beneficiaries. It will also help to identify and eliminate the duplicate and fake cards for non-
existent beneficiaries in the ration schemes. The poor families will benefit more from the
DCTs choice of using the cash as per ones’ wish, which can solve some of their financial
problems. Thus it can be very well seen how important the Aadhar card is for availing
government schemes.
 However, in spite of all the benefits that this unique ID number offers, it has also
raised many controversies and objections as well from various groups and organizations. In
the mainland India, so far as many as 80% plus have already enrolled, associated and well
informed with Aadhar card. Yet some issues; like public privacy issues which is against
ones’ right to privacy and non-democratic in nature exist- as it linked with the bank
account & private properties and other personal data, the doubtfulness regarding the
protection of personal Aadhar data stored in a centralized database- doubts and
intimidations emerged as it can be hacked easily and data can be stolen, misused for
surveillance purpose, are also among the issues that has raised objections to Aadhar. This
could be the reason that makes some people not enrolling with Aadhar out of their personal
choice till now. Some research business groups have also raised concern over the bank
transfer between one Aadhar numbers to another as it makes such transfers completely un-
auditable. Some objections were also voiced out by the PDS beneficiaries who don’t have
the Aadhar card and linking of Aadhar with mid-day meal schemes for attendance
purposes which does not have any positive effects is mandated to ensure scrutinization of
the scheme.

In the Northeast states of India, it is reported that the enrolment is very low.
Tripura and Sikkim are the two north-eastern states who are the maximum enrolled with
90% in numbers as recorded by the UIDAI. Meghalaya and Assam are the two lowest
states with only below 10% enrolled with Aadhar as per recorded on 8th of March 2016.
It was learned that these two states (Assam & Meghalaya) have their own unique
reasons behind their least involvement with this scheme. Assam which is leading in
development as comparing to its neighbouring states has leaved the government in
shock because of its gradual involvement with Aadhar. It was reported that the main
problem in Assam is the objections from most citizens, NGOs as this scheme could
provide the non-local (Assam) residents a domicile (legal citizenship certificate)
document which is not. In Meghalaya, the citizens and other NGOs fear that Aadhar
card would make it easier for non-local people to get citizenship and voting rights.
Moreover, its compulsive nature in the process of enrolment by making it mandatory
(viz, for availing pension, scholarship, linking with bank account, SIM card connections
and for other beneficial schemes like PDS, LPG etc) and the suspicions/ doubts that the
demographic data provided can be misused by the authority for surveillance and control
over the citizens of the state are the other two factors that contribute to its slowly
enrolment. Lastly, the major factor is the misunderstanding of the 12 digit Aadhar
number with the number of the beast/ 666. This issue is raised not only in Meghalaya
but in other North-Eastern Christian states like Mizoram and Nagaland as well. The
main reason behind this massive confusion is because firstly Aadhar is being
misinterpreted by some lay preachers and evangelist as the number of the beast. They
relate it with Revelation 13, verse 17 &18, by comparing Aadhar number with the
number of the beast, convincing people that without Aadhar (666) we will not be able to
buy and sell anything. Moreover, they considered that the proper calculation of this 12
digit bar code is equal to the number of the beast six hundred and sixty six (666) which
is wrong and not proven by them till now. Moreover, the government technique of
introducing this scheme in a compulsive way is the main reason behind this great
 confusion. Firstly they introduced Aadhar for the benefits of the poor who does not have
ID proof. It said it was not compulsory, next it said to receive cooking gas subsidy
Aadhar is mandatory. Then, it said that it is compulsory for school children. Now, it is
saying all bank account holder is compulsory to have Aadhar. This sequence of making
this number compulsory has lead many people into a state of confusion and break the
public trust with the government itself. And this way of imposing to enrol with Aadhar
could be another reason why many Christians were misled to believe by some lay
preachers and leaders, in that the beast will force everyone to take the number of 666
and without it we cannot buy or sell anything. Furthermore, these factors are not only
confusing people but has led other public organizations and anti- Aadhar group from
Shillong like KSU (Khasi Students Union) and MPCA (Meghalaya People’s
Committee on Aadhar) to campaign for opting out of Aadhar to those who have already
enrolled.

Biblically, the number of the beast/ 666 as mentioned in the book of Revelation is
revealed in chapter 13. Here, it does not talk only about the fearing number 666 neither the
forceful way of the beast to take the mark on the forehead and the right hands but this Chapter
contains in it many characteristics of the other beast which some of these lay leaders did not
considered it necessary. When we read from the 1st verse- 8th verse, we could learn how the
first beast came from the sea with its frightened image and many people marvelled and
worship it. He was given authority over every tongue, tribe and nations along with a mouth to
blaspheme against God, to make war against all those Christian who were not recorded in the
book of life and their faith will be greatly challenged. Thus these verses 16-18 of this chapter
that mentioned about 666 cannot and will not take place without/ unless the completion of
what happened in the preceding verses, meaning there is no 2nd beast or 666 without the 1st
beast. Therefore, the comparison and relevance of Aadhar Card with this so called number of
the beast/ 666 is not connected as there was no previous beast or tribulations as mentioned in
ch-11 that have occurred before. Thus, this biblical explanation points out that the connection
of Aadhar Card with 666 is not valid.

To sum up, we learned that Aadhar is a 12 digit unique identification number which
has been introduced by the UIDAI for the purpose of identity proof of every citizen in India,
for checking the population of India, to reduce corruption and to improve the digital cashless
system. Truly, this scheme is rolling very fast in India as far as the enrolment process is
concern. However, there are also some people who are not inclined to enrol for Aadhar, as
they deem it to be ineffective with its less efficiency in meeting its real purpose. The problems
that aroused within the Aadhar biometric accuracy, public data privacy issues, doubts and
intimidation of the chance that the public data can be misused, issues pertaining to illegal
immigrants behind the gradual involvement with Aadhar are common factors that leads to
gradual involvement with Aadhar. Last but not the least; it is the confusion of the people in
relating Aadhar with the number of the beast (666), which is the most, aroused issue in the
Christian states of Northeast India. The confusion that emerged probably, because of
misunderstandings and misleading by some lay Christian leaders which is not certain and
without experimenting the text properly which only leads to division within the church,
families and misunderstandings within one roof. Also, the government technique in shuffling
 its decision to make the scheme mandatory/ compulsory contributes and develops the
unconstructive mindset in the public towards the government.

So, we can understand the Government of India is trying its level best by introducing
Aadhar Card with its various positive purposes, but the limitation and flaws of this scheme
should also be kept in mind rather than imposing it. Covered with many drawbacks, this topic
demands for more public debates and discourses so that people will be equipped themselves
with knowledge about its pros and cons and the government also will then consider and realise
its flaws and limitations as well.