Question

What is free and fare electoral competition

Answer 1

debate on Aadhaar is on in the country, support and criticisms have been flowing in from all sides. In Budget 2017, the government inserted a provision making it mandatory to quote Aadhaar number while applying for PAN card as well as when filing Income Tax returns. The main objective of this exercise is to link the PAN with Aadhaar and thereby, also identify tax evaders. Critics have questioned the rigid position of the Modi government on this matter and accused it of not initiating a discussion on whether Aadhaar should be made mandatory in India. Some experts have also claimed that there is no discussion on the legal accountability of the database nor is there any debate inside or outside the Parliament.

Digitisation and technology cannot be ignored in the current world. But then, there are several risks that need to be addressed. While most Indians want to embrace and adapt to the change, experts have questioned the process of evolution of Aadhaar from an ‘unverified’ biometric database to an authentic and robust national identification. Meanwhile, there have been accusations against the present government of denying Supreme Court’s concerns. The apex court judges are currently looking into a number of petitions seeking a stop to the process of Aadhaar being made mandatory. The top court had itself asserted in 2013 that Aadhaar should be voluntary, not mandatory.