Code of Conduct

This code of conduct may be edited and changed upon occasion following collective deliberation by members of the Campaign and/or members of the Complaints Committee along with members of the Campaign.

  1. Rethink Aadhaar is a non-partisan campaign and a network of volunteers concerned about the Unique Identification/ Aadhaar project, and issues related to digitization of the welfare state. We are a campaign and network that works across administrative, national and international boundaries.

  2. All decisions are taken by consensus of the Steering Committee (or quorum) and under the guidance of friends and advisors of the campaign and network.

  3. All members of the informal network which comprises Rethink Aadhaar are committed to ensuring all interactions will happen with integrity; treating every individual with dignity, respect, and fairness; acting responsibly towards the people and communities that we work with; and being responsible, transparent, and accountable for all our actions.

  4. We have a zero tolerance policy towards discrimination, harassment, bullying, or sexual harassment. Rethink Aadhaar is committed to maintaining a collaborative campaign environment free from sexual, racial, ethnic, caste-based, class-based religious, age-based, disability, sexual orientation, and gender expression harassment and bullying. Any instance of such harassment is expressly prohibited.

II. Who does this apply to?

5. This policy covers conduct related to campaign work conducted by Rethink Aadhaar, which includes conference calls, seminars, webinars, press briefings, meetings, internal administrative work, and other specified event/meeting/communication. This also applies if you present yourself as a member of Rethink Aadhaar in any public forum.

III. How to report violations

6. We believe that it takes courage to report cases of harassment, and we salute that courage. We also understand that survivors of harassment, often are in a less privileged position than the person conducting the harassment, and face more barriers to speaking out, including social stigma. We commit to continually improving our support for survivors and efforts to prevent future harms.

7. If you become aware of discrimination or harassment in violation of the principles and policies stated above, please do reach out to the Complaints Committee at <conductrethinkaadhaar@gmail.com> with the subject line “Re. Violation of Code of Conduct.” This email account is accessed by members of the Complaints Committee. You can also copy contact@rethinkaadhaar.in, which is accessed by two members of Rethink Aadhaar, or reach out personally to anyone you feel comfortable with, who is associated with the Rethink Aadhaar Campaign.

8. Once the complaints are received, the Complaints Committee will endeavour to take it up within one week. Given the urgency of the complaint, the Committee will communicate with the complainant within two days at minimum and 2 weeks at maximum from the date of communication. If you have not received a response, we request you to write to contact@rethinkaadhaar.in to indicate that there is a pending complaint which has to be looked into.

IV. Implications of violating this Code

9. Rethink Aadhaar is within its rights to revoke, suspend, and/or permanently ban anyone from participating in some or all Rethink Aadhaar-related activities; and asking them to refrain from presenting themselves as a member of the campaign.

V. Complaints Committee

10. We also have a specific 3 person Complaints Committee, to hear complaints, which can be contacted at <conductrethinkaadhaar@gmail.com>.

11. The Complaints Committee will have the power to take the following steps:

    1. Conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all complaints of harassment or discrimination. The scope of the investigation will depend upon the specific circumstances.

    2. Make every effort to respect the privacy of those involved in an investigation under this procedure. However, it should be understood that Rethink Aadhaar might need to disclose certain information to complete our investigation or otherwise address the matters raised in the complaint. A request not to investigate a reported violation of this policy cannot always be honored.

    3. The results of the investigation will be discussed with those individuals involved, and the Complaints Committee will determine whether any action is warranted in response.

    4. Individuals who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including warnings, probation, and termination of affiliation with Rethink Aadhaar. The specific action taken will be consistent, reasonable, fair, and match the severity of the incident.

    5. The Complaints Committee will not retaliate against any person for making a good faith complaint under this policy, regardless of the outcome of the investigation. Similarly, the Complaints Committee will not retaliate against any person for providing truthful information in connection with an investigation under this policy.

    6. If, in the course of an investigation, the Complaints Committee learns that a crime has been committed, the Campaign may be obligated to report that crime to the relevant authorities. Should the complainant decide to report the authorities, the committee will support them in taking it up with the relevant authority.

    7. Similarly, the Complaints Committee will comply with any requests for records or information made in connection with any police investigation as required by law, or with any subpoena issued lawfully in any legal proceeding. However we are committed to pushback against overbroad requests for information.

8.  Implications of a false report: Any person who knowingly provides false information in connection with an investigation under this policy will be subject to discipline, upto removal from membership with Rethink Aadhaar. 

9.  The Committee is committed to principles of transparency and accountability.

Last updated: 17 July 2022