Is Aadhar a tool or weapon of state?

The concept of Aadhar (generating unique identity of citizen) has been under huge criticism from the very beginning of its origin in India (January 2009). Obviously, this scheme came in the name of welfare for the people i.e., distribution of ration, health facilities, other public goods, etc. With the completion of more than a decade, the concept of Aadhar has taken a shape of power and authority with huge capacity to surveillance on each and every Aadhar holder. Hence, the criticism which began with the beginning of Aadhar has become very prominent. At this time, an “Aadhar Card” seems a weapon for state to maintain surveillance on the people. A card having a QR code with some digits carrying your all details like, present/permanent addresses, finger prints, eyes and many more which is totally under control of state, and available on a digital platform (website) of a body called UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India). After giving all details Aadhar Card is not even giving you the proof of citizenship, it is just an identity card of the holder.

From the beginning, arguments in support of Aadhar were to create a unique identification of citizen for corruption free delivery of schemes like, ration, MNREGA, health facilities, etc. But the question is still unanswered, is that much information is required to create unique identification? Or is there any substitute possible for the same? In the last more than 10 years, i.e., from January 2009 to till now, from aegis of planning commission to statutory status (Aadhar act 2016) Aadhar has faced many serious criticisms, and most importantly several observations of honourable Supreme Court has also raised many questions over the concept of Aadhar. On the other hand, government is increasing the power and limits of Aadhar day by day, by linking Aadhar with pan (Permanent Account Number), voter’s identity card, Schools Admission, Colleges, Offices, etc.

My questions are;

a.       How it could be ensured that all the sensitive information given by a person are completely safe and secure in Aadhar Card?

b.      Is it that much important to ask all these sensitive information from a person to generate unique identity for the sake of development of so called corruption free mechanism?

c.     What will happen if information of Aadhar will be leaked out with some other nations or terrorist organisations (as it is available on internet), is it not became a threat to our sovereignty?

d.      What will happen if one day a party in power misuses the information of Aadhar against their own citizen, dissent or opposition parties to get full control over state power (Dictatorship)?

e.       Is giving that much information not against the right to privacy?

If state has that much information about an individual which can enables a government to create surveillance over citizen. Then it will be very easy for an individual or a party to get full control over state. My questions are about utility of Aadhar and threats emerging due to Aadhar. Honourable Supreme Court has made many limitations on Aadhar. Government in itself appears very confused about the utility of Aadhar, e.g., Government has changed its stand many times over Aadhar in public as well as in Supreme Court. In a notification UIDAI has said that giving photo copy of Aadhar to anyone is not safe. Suddenly after a day, government withdraw that notification and said do it on your own. Some social problems have also been emerged with Aadhar. Like, if any organisation or authority ask you to present Aadhar and if you deny or if you try to show some other identity card then at that time you may be treated as a doubtful citizen. So it is very important to withdraw the concept of Aadhar or search some possible replacement for the same. Because Aadhar is a mechanism to provides all important/sensitive information of an individual on a card which is also available on internet. It is completely unsafe in itself. In my opinion it may be a threat to the citizenship of an individual and to the sovereignty of state as well.

Author:- Adarsh kumar