SHILLONG: In a significant move, the Meghalaya government has dismissed objections to Aadhaar registration, asserting that the opposition lacks any reasonable basis since enrollment remains voluntary. Aadhaar, managed by the central government, is crucial for building a comprehensive database of cardholders to streamline access to services, as emphasized by Paul Lyngdoh, cabinet minister and spokesperson for the MDA 2.0 coalition. He warned that individuals without Aadhaar could miss out on key government welfare programs.
Underscoring the need to expedite the process to align with national standards, Lyngdoh stated that Meghalaya lags behind most Indian states, which have largely completed Aadhaar enrollment. Meanwhile, anti-Aadhaar activists staged a rally in Shillong on Wednesday to protest what they claim is an attempt to mandate Aadhaar linkage for accessing government benefits.
The Meghalaya chapter of the Awaken India Movement (AIM) organized the demonstration, which was supported by North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum, saw minor clashes between protesters and police, and drew public criticism.
Speaking at the gathering, AIM Meghalaya unit chairman Banshai Marbaniang reiterated that the movement was not against the Aadhaar system per se but was against its forced implementation. "We are fighting for the people's right to decide whether or not to enroll in Aadhaar," he added.
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