Deactivated Aadhaar: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi, BJP says sorry
Times of India | 20 February 2024
KOLKATA: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday wrote to PM Narendra Modi about the "mass deactivation" of Aadhaar cards in the state, informing him that a portal would be started for citizens to register related complaints. She added that the state would, if needed, issue separate cards to affected persons so that no one is deprived of welfare schemes.
The development came on a day Centre - pushed to the back foot since Banerjee flagged the issue some days ago - termed the deactivations a "technical problem" and decided to re-activate the Aadhaar cards in a few days. Junior Union minister Shantanu Thakur even sought "an apology from those refugees whose Aadhaar cards were deactivated due to a technical problem." He assured everyone that the cards would be re-activated "within a few days."
The UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), in a release, said: "In the course of activities undertaken to keep the Aadhaar database updated, intimations are issued from time to time to Aadhaar number holders. In this connection, it is clarified that no Aadhaar number has been cancelled."
The portal - 'Aadhaar Grievances Portal of Government of West Bengal' - would start functioning from Tuesday, the CM wrote in her letter.
Banerjee wrote to the PM that "indiscriminate deactivation" of Aadhaar, especially of people from SC, ST and OBC communities in Bengal, was illegal because the card holders were never heard, no inquiry was conducted and the state govt wasn't apprised of the development. "I would like to know from you about the causes for such sudden action of deactivation of Aadhaar cards without assigning reasons. Is it just for the sake of depriving eligible beneficiaries of benefits or to create a panic situation... just before the Lok Sabha elections?" the CM wrote.
Junior Union minister Shantanu Thakur held a meeting in Delhi over the issue with home minister Amit Shah, IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Bengal BJP president and MP Sukanta Majumdar. Afterwards, he said: "I seek apology from those refugees whose Aadhaar cards were deactivated due to a technical problem. They will be restored within a few days." Thakur also gave an email account - aadharsthakurbari@gmail.com - and a WhatsApp number - 9647534453 - for affected people to air their grievances and apply for restoration. "There is no requirement for any document. All you need to mention in the application is your name, address and phone number," Thakur said.
Addressing the media, the CM said: "Through this, the people will be deprived of the bank benefits. Is BJP planning to initiate NRC ahead of the elections? Is BJP planning to first snatch Aadhaars and then deliver CAA? These people had got their Aadhaars through proper means."
"We met Subhodeep Choudhary, UIDAI state office Kolkata (West Bengal), who said the Aadhaar deactivation was being done from Delhi and Bengaluru," said Bengal chief secretary B P Gopalika. "He only said that around 900-1,000 people had approached them either through their website or by directly coming to their office. When we asked him about the regulations, he said it was done according to 28-A of the Aadhaar Regulation. But in 29(i), it is clearly stated that ahead of any deactivation, there has to be a field inquiry and an in-person hearing. None of this was followed.... We have told them that we will take legal action if it happens again."
The CM said: "We will not allow NRC in Bengal. We will shed blood but won't allow the exclusion of a single person from Bengal.... We will not allow detention camps in Bengal. The people from the Matua community, who have been promised citizenship, are now being termed foreigners. Is this not disrespecting them? Those who are playing around with Aadhaar, there will come a time when people will throw them in andhaar (darkness). We will give an alternate card that will not only safeguard your identity but also allow you to avail yourselves of our welfare schemes. We are not zamindars, we are you paharadars. Don't be afraid. There will not be any NRC here. This is not Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar or Rajashthan. This is Kaviguru's Bengal."
Thakur accused the Bengal CM of trying to "spread confusion" on the matter. "Issues relating to Aadhaar cards are an exclusive domain of Centre. How could the CM ask the chief secretary to help out the people in this regard," he said.
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