Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has called a high-level meeting with the Union Home Secretary and the Legislative Secretary to address the ongoing debate surrounding the linking of voter identity cards with Aadhaar. The move comes amid allegations of electoral roll data manipulation, with opposition parties accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) of irregularities in the voters’ list.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has raised concerns over duplicate voter card numbers being allocated to electors across different states, alleging that the poll authority is tampering with the voters’ list to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi recently echoed similar sentiments in the Lok Sabha, highlighting the issue as a significant concern for the integrity of the electoral process.

In response, the Election Commission has described the duplicate card numbers as a “legacy issue” and assured that the matter will be resolved within the next three months. The ECI has clarified that duplicate numbers do not necessarily indicate the presence of fake voters and emphasized its commitment to ensuring the accuracy and transparency of the electoral rolls.

The meeting, scheduled for March 18, will include discussions with the Home Secretary, Legislative Secretary, and the CEO of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The focus will be on addressing the technical and administrative challenges associated with the Aadhaar-voter ID linking process.

Under the current legal framework, the seeding of voter rolls with the Aadhaar database is voluntary. The government has informed Parliament that the linking exercise is “process-driven” and that no specific targets or deadlines have been set for its completion. It has also assured that the names of individuals who choose not to link their Aadhaar details with their voter IDs will not be removed from the electoral rolls.

The legal basis for the Aadhaar-voter ID linking is provided under Section 23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, as amended by the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021. The provision allows electoral registration officers to request Aadhaar numbers from existing or prospective voters on a voluntary basis for identity verification.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the first phase of the Lachit Barphukan Police Academy at Dergaon in Golaghat district on Saturday. The academy, spread over 340 acres, is undergoing a major revamp at an estimated cost of ₹1,024 crore in two phases.

Accompanied by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Shah also laid the foundation stone for the second phase of the project.

State-of-the-art police training facilities

Officials stated that the ₹167.4-crore first phase includes a five-story building with modern police training infrastructure. Key highlights include:

• Smart classrooms with interactive digital boards and personal computers.
• Weapon training stimulator to enhance combat preparedness without real-world risks.
• Research labs, administrative offices, and a library.
• A modern parade ground and a museum showcasing law enforcement history.
  

The academy aims to provide a seamless blend of theoretical and practical training to recruits. The weapon training stimulator is particularly designed to train officers in real-world combat scenarios, enabling cost-effective and risk-free firearm practice.

Second phase to boost housing infrastructure

The second phase, estimated at ₹425.48 crore, will focus on housing infrastructure for personnel. It will include:

• Residential quarters for 240 families.
• Hostels for 312 officers and 2,640 trainees.

The revamped academy is expected to significantly strengthen Assam’s police training capabilities and provide cutting-edge resources for law enforcement personnel.

The ongoing debate over language policies in India has escalated after Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan accused Tamil Nadu politicians of hypocrisy. Kalyan questioned why Tamil Nadu opposes Hindi imposition while allowing Tamil films to be dubbed into Hindi for commercial benefits.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has strongly refuted his claims, emphasizing that Tamil Nadu has always opposed the forced imposition of Hindi but not voluntary learning. DMK spokesperson Dr Syed Hafeezullah dismissed Kalyan’s remarks, calling them a “hollow understanding” of the state’s linguistic stance.

DMK’s Rebuttal to Pawan Kalyan

Addressing Kalyan’s statement, Hafeezullah said, “Tamil Nadu has never opposed individuals learning Hindi or any other language. What we oppose is the imposition of Hindi or any language on the people of our state.” He argued that equating Tamil Nadu’s opposition to Hindi imposition with the commercial practice of dubbing films is an oversimplification.

Senior DMK leader TKS Elangovan also weighed in, stating that Tamil Nadu’s resistance to Hindi dates back to 1938. “We had passed legislation in the state assembly that Tamil Nadu will always follow the two-language formula based on expert recommendations. The bill was passed in 1968 when Pawan Kalyan was not even born. He does not understand Tamil Nadu’s politics,” Elangovan remarked.

Pawan Kalyan’s Argument

Kalyan, the founder of the Janasena Party and an ally of the ruling NDA government, criticized Tamil Nadu leaders for their stance on Hindi. “Why do Tamil Nadu politicians oppose Hindi while allowing their movies to be dubbed in Hindi for financial gain? They want money from Bollywood but refuse to accept Hindi—what kind of logic is that?” he questioned.

BJP Backs Kalyan’s Stand

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has supported Kalyan’s remarks, stating that Hindi should be promoted more strongly in southern states. BJP leader Vikram Randhawa argued that Hindi, as the national language, should reach the masses. “Unfortunately, previous governments have tried to suppress nationalism. The use of Hindi should be implemented strongly in the South as well,” he said.

Language Politics Amid National Education Policy

The language debate is gaining renewed attention amid discussions over the National Education Policy (NEP) and the Centre’s push for Hindi. Tamil Nadu has historically resisted such policies, emphasizing the importance of education in the mother tongue. The state has repeatedly opposed initiatives like the PM SHRI scheme, which includes provisions for Hindi education.

DMK leaders reiterated that Hindi is already being voluntarily taught in Tamil Nadu through Hindi Prachar Sabhas. “If people want to learn Hindi, they are welcome to do so. The problem arises when the Centre mandates it through policies like the NEP,” Hafeezullah added.

As the language debate continues, it remains to be seen how the Centre and state governments navigate the linguistic sensitivities that have long shaped India’s federal dynamics.