Updates
Rethink Aadhaar for Self Governance Portal: Legal notice Sent to Kerala Government
New Aadhaar Rules for "Good Governance" Are Constitutionally Impermissible
Press Statement: Call for enquiry into Aadhaar-related Starvation Death in Odisha
Joint Statement: The Government of Kerala must withdraw compulsory Aadhaar verification for state government jobs
Statement on Delhi Government mandating Aadhaar number for Compensation Forms
Rethink Aadhaar condemns the Delhi govt mandating quoting of riot victims’ Aadhaar numbers on the compensation forms.
A people's Tribunal on 10 years of Aadhaar project, and new coercive databases
A Cultivated Ignorance
In a display of cultivated ignorance, the authors of a recent article (‘A hundred small steps’, IE, September 26) cite only their self-sponsored friendly research, blissfully ignoring independent research that has raised troubling questions about ignoring viable PDS portability solutions in favour of Aadhaar.
Press Statement: Verify 19 lakh beneficiaries left out of Odisha PDS after mandatory Aadhaar linking, demand activists
Rethink Aadhaar Newsletter: October 2019, Vol. I
The Finance Ministry has yet again extended the deadline by which people can link their Aadhaar numbers to PAN, until December 31, 2019. Rethink Aadhaar maintains that such linking is disproportionate and unconstitutional. A challenge to such linking is being heard in the Karnataka High Court wherein the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has asked for more time to respond. The HC has directed the CBDT not to take any action against the petitioners for not linking Aadhaar to PAN until the hearing is complete.
An appeal To support rethink aadhaar & article 21 Trust
Last year, we created the Article 21 Trust as an engine that could power further struggles to counter the impact of Aadhaar and other civil technologies on human rights – in particular the right to life, liberty, and livelihood (as the name of the Trust might suggest). Article 21 will support Rethink Aadhaar through fundraising as well as working on necessary research.
Citizens write to Election Commission demanding opposition to Aadhaar-Voter ID linking
On July 16, the Delhi High Court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI), to consider a plea for an Aadhaar-based voting system, in response to a PIL filed by BJP member Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. The petition “proposes an e-voting system using fingerprint and face biometric” and, for that purpose, linking of Aadhaar number with voter ID. Such a system, the petition claims, will lead to an increase in voting percentage while also preventing bogus or fraudulent voting.
Rethink Aadhaar Newsletter: July 2019, Vol. I
While the government is trying hard to crush every voice against Aadhaar, one person from Mumbai not only fought, but also won against the government's mandatory linking policy. Hear Mr Ramesh Kurhade of Mumbai Port Trust as he shares the story of his unwavering fight against Aadhaar.
A number of concerned citizens and NGOs have come together to felicitate Mr Kurhade in the hope that his experience will give courage to others. The felicitation and his talk will be followed by brief interventions from additional speakers: Dr. Anupam Saraph, Vickram Crishna, Raghu (aka godavar), Vidyut Gore, Elisha Ebenezer, and more.
Budget's Economic Survey Pushes For Interlinking and Selling Citizens' Data for Private Purposes
We are alarmed and concerned at the government’s vision to collate comprehensive, exhaustive data about every citizen and making it available for commercial use by private entities as stated in the budget document the Economic Survey 2018-19 published on July 4. Chapter 4 of the Economic Survey (a budget document laid before parliament) Data “Of the People, By the People, For the People argues for expanding collection and interlinking of comprehensive data on citizens, violating Supreme Court judgments on privacy and Aadhaar.
Aadhaar Amendments Bill in Parliament Again: Help Us Oppose the Bill
Rethink Aadhaar has been reaching out to several Members of Parliament (MPs) requesting them to demand that the Bill be sent to a Parliamentary Standing Committee, so as to ensure a thorough public consultation. Yet, while the government insists "Indians have accepted Aadhaar" - and enjoys numerical superiority in the Lok Sabha - we need to collectively raise our voices and denounce Aadhaar in the strongest terms, and ensure that our representatives echo us.
Letter to CBDT protesting PAN-Aadhaar Linking
While we continue to wait for a favorable review of the judgement upholding PAN-Aadhaar linking, many citizens are opposing this rule in the spirit of civil disobedience against enrolling in a project which poses a lifelong threat for one’s personal security. There is much evidence that raises serious concerns about potential loss of identity, fraud (including identity fraud), and privacy. This is apart from the deeply problematic nature of both the manner in which enrollments have happened and continue to happen.
Government’s Aadhaar Ordinance for commercial use is another Fraud upon the Constitution
Late in the evening of February 28, 2019, in the midst of a critical situation at the Indian border, the Central Government issued the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, which seeks to revive the commercial use of the biometrics-linked 12-digit Aadhaar number which the Supreme Court had specifically struck down as being unconstitutional in September 2018. By promulgating this ordinance, the government is attempting to push through the Amendments to the Aadhaar Act, which it had failed to pass through Parliament and in particular the Rajya Sabha where it lacks a majority. The passage of this ordinance shows the Central government’s contempt of democratic and legislative institutions and signals the further weakening of our most basic democratic structures.
Hundreds of Adivasi farmers protest denial of foodgrain by use of Aadhaar in Public Distribution System
Hundreds of Adivasis of several villages of Jharkhand’s Khuntpani block (West Singhbhum district) protested at the block administration’s office on February 28 against the denial of ration, use of Aadhaar and other irregularities in the Public Distribution System.
Ration has not been distributed in some villages since several months. Cardholders of Ulirajabasa did not get ration in September-December 2018 and February 2019, one month in 2017 and three months in 2016. People of Ankolkuti have not received their grain entitlements for August-September and November-December 2018.
Counter Aadhaar As Polls Near: A Call to Arms
Some of you might already be clued in on what our politicians are planning for their election manifestos. In terms of Aadhaar, while there may not be any immediately positive indications, efforts are underway to push parties to take a stated stance to at least ensure that Aadhaar is purely a voluntary id similar to other Officially Valid Document(OVDs). However, we will need to push the demand through to all political parties we can possibly contact.
Hundreds of labourers in Varanasi protest against biometric authentication for food rations
The memorandum related to the problems has been given to the SDM of the Tehsil by Rita, Ayesha, Rekha, on behalf of the Mahila Chetna Samiti Sangathan and by Gautam, Sheela, and Rukhsana from the MNREGA Mazdoor Union. The administration has assured resolution of the problem within 15 days. If the problem is not resolved then the workers will protest at the district level.