Shillong, Oct 24: The Meghalaya People’s Committee on Aadhaar (MPCA) has launched a campaign for people to “opt out” of the Aadhaar enrollment.
After a meeting at the Khasi National Durbar Hall, Mawkhar here on Tuesday, attended by people from different villages of Khasi – Jaintia Hills, MPCA convener, Rev PBM Basaiawmoit said that the meeting resolved to launch “opt-out” campaign which will facilitate people who have been enrolled but wanted to come out of the enrolment.
The MPCA also circulated a copy of the draft letter where people after going through its content, if they agree, will put their signature and submitted to the leaders of the committee.
Rev K. Pyrtuh, a member of the Thma U Rangli Juki, said that although the Act on Aadhaar does not mention whether people can opt out of the enrolment, but there is no harm in trying.
He informed that people who wanted to opt-out of Aadhaar enrolment can submit the letter at the office of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) from 11 am to 3 pm on October 30.
The letters collected, will be submitted to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and other authorities.
Rev Pyrtuh also said that they are demanding that the Act should be reviewed to ensure that people are not forced to enroll for Aadhaar in view of the interim order passed by the Supreme Court which clearly stated that it (Aadhaar) should not be made mandatory but voluntary.
On the other hand, Basaiawmoit informed that the meeting has also resolved to wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court on Aadhaar enrolment next month.
“We are hoping to have another prayer of thanks giving because the legislature and the executive have failed us, but it is only the judiciary which is the third pillar of democracy that is still protecting our rights,” Basaiawmoit stated.
