Presbyterian Church distances itself from anti-Aadhaar campaign

FROM OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Shillong, Nov 6: At a time when the “opt-out” campaign from Aadhaar seems to have gathered steam from the registered citizens in Meghalaya, the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian (KJP) Synod, the apex body of the Presbyterian Church, said that it is up to the wisdom of the individual to decide on the matter.

“Right from 2015, we have come with a stand that it is for the individual to decide on the registration issue and not to relate the Aadhaar registration with the Bible,” stated KJP (Sepngi) functiory Rev C Lymba in response to a question raised by The Sentinel. 

Lymba further said that the Synod does not want to talk anything on this issue except to impress upon the members of the Church to refrain from reading any interpretations that is well beyond its domain.

The Presbyterian Church has the largest number of Christian followers in the State. It has even issued a circular that it has nothing to do with their religious texts.

However, the involvement of Rev PBM Basaiawmoit and Rev K Pyrtuh in the “opt-out” campaign from Aadhaar under the aegis of Meghalaya People’s Committee on Aadhaar has created quite a stir in public minds. The campaign has witnessed more than 500 Aadhaar card users surrendering their cards last week.

While the KJP stand is clear through its circulation, the numerous interpretations of clerics of other Christian denomitions in the State have compounded the problem. Those associated with the anti-Aadhaar campaign relate the biometric card to 666 (number of the beast), as evident from the vercular print media articles.