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Law minster also wakes up from UIDAI-induced slumber, says other IDs okay if Aadhaar not available

Published

8 years ago

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Aadhaar card

A spate of tragedies including deaths, because claimants to legal entitlements – rations and hospital beds – were denied when they failed to produce their Aadhaar cards, have rocked upright sections of the media and the social media of late. With the government adding more services to the Aaahdaar cart every day, the entire issue has become a farce, especially with the entire Aadhaar linkages issue now being argued at the Supreme Court. The government, despite its somewhat obtusely arrogant stand, has been pushed to the wall.

A couple of days earlier, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) had, in a statement, clarified that no person who does not have an Aadhaar card, can be denied his or her due and legal entitlements.

And now Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has come out with a stamen saying benefits accruing from government schemes cannot be denied on grounds of failure to produce the Aadhaar card.

While this makes the government’s stand look a trifle stupid, the general hue and cry among the public regarding this draconian move by the government to track and control each and every move and action of the public has pushed the government on the backfoot.

Two pregnant women, in the recent past, had been denied entry to government hospitals because they did not have Aadhaar cards. The women were forced to deliver their babies within the hospital compound, but sans medical care.

The minister was speaking on Tuesday at a meeting of IT ministers and secretaries from different states. Going against his own government’s obtuse insistence on the Aadhaar card, whose database has, often in the recent past been hacked, Prasad said that if in the absence of the Aadhaar card or number, any alternate identity proof should be enough for the person to claim his or her due of essential services such as healthcare and food grains under the food for all scheme.

Finally speaking the same language that the uninfluenced section of the media had always been saying, Prasad admitted that biometrics do not match due to worn out fingerprints, an issue that has been repeated ad infinitum by the media. He conceded that this has been one of the biggest failures of the Aadhaar system when he said that food grain shops cannot deny claimants their quota of ration. As a backup of sorts, the minister said in such cases the beneficiary’s name and other details must be noted in a register.

As if the chaos created by the already existing porous database was not ENOUGH, Prasad added another complex angle, that of a completely unreliable facial recognition system. He said that facial identification will kick-off from July 1. This is to “end the problems faced by labourers, farmers and senior citizens.”

This is the government’s new, enlightened stand, it seems.

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India News

PM Modi changes social media profile pictures to mark Operation Sindoor anniversary

PM Modi changed his social media profile pictures to commemorate one year of Operation Sindoor, with several NDA leaders following the move.

Published

5 mins ago

on

May 7, 2026

By

PM Modi speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday updated the display pictures of his social media accounts to mark the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor. The new image was seen across his profiles on X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp channels.

The updated profile picture carries the text “Operation Sindoor” on a black background along with elements of the Indian tricolour. One of the letters in the word “Sindoor” has been stylised using vermilion, commonly associated with married Hindu women.

Operation Sindoor was launched a year ago by Indian defence forces and the Border Security Force along the western border. The anniversary was also marked by several Union ministers and NDA leaders, who changed their social media profile pictures in a similar manner.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other senior leaders were among those who adopted the commemorative display image on social media platforms, according to reports.

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India News

Congress, BJP attack Bhagwant Mann over remarks on Punjab blasts

Congress and BJP have jointly criticised Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann after he linked recent blasts near defence sites to political motives, triggering a controversy.

Published

14 hours ago

on

May 6, 2026

By

Bhagwant Mann

A political row has erupted in Punjab after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann linked recent blast incidents to political motives, drawing sharp criticism from both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The controversy follows two low-intensity explosions reported within a short span of time — one near the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar and another close to an army cantonment area in Amritsar. The incidents raised concerns over security, particularly given the sensitive nature of the locations.

In response, Mann suggested that the blasts could be part of a larger political strategy. His remarks triggered a strong backlash, with opposition parties accusing him of politicising a serious security issue.

Leaders from the Congress criticised the Chief Minister’s statement, calling it inappropriate and alleging that such comments undermine the gravity of the situation. They stressed that matters related to national security should be handled with caution and responsibility.

The BJP also joined the criticism, questioning the basis of Mann’s claims and urging the state government to focus on investigation and law enforcement instead of making political allegations.

The developments have led to an unusual moment where both Congress and BJP appear aligned in their criticism of the Aam Aadmi Party-led government in the state.

Meanwhile, the blasts themselves have intensified concerns over safety in border regions, with authorities continuing their investigation into the incidents. No casualties were reported, but the proximity to defence establishments has made the issue particularly sensitive.

The episode has further escalated political tensions in the state, with security and accountability emerging as key points of debate.

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India News

Himanta Biswa Sarma resigns as Assam chief minister, oath ceremony likely after May 11

Himanta Biswa Sarma resigns as Assam Chief Minister after BJP-led NDA’s victory. He will continue as caretaker CM until the new government is sworn in after May 11.

Published

15 hours ago

on

May 6, 2026

By

Himanta sharma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma resigned from his post on Wednesday, paving the way for the formation of a new government after the BJP-led NDA secured a decisive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Sarma submitted his resignation to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at Lok Bhawan in Guwahati. The Governor accepted the resignation and asked him to continue as the caretaker Chief Minister until the new government takes charge.

The resignation comes after the NDA’s strong electoral performance, where the alliance won a clear majority in the 126-member Assembly, ensuring its return to power for another term.

Oath ceremony expected after May 11

Speaking to reporters after submitting his resignation, Sarma said the swearing-in ceremony for the new government is likely to be held after May 11.

He indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to attend the ceremony but is unavailable until May 11, which has influenced the tentative schedule.

Decision on next chief minister soon

Sources suggest that central observers, including senior BJP leaders, are expected to arrive shortly to oversee the selection of the legislature party leader. The newly elected MLAs will then decide on the next Chief Minister.

Despite the formal resignation, party sources indicate that Sarma is likely to continue in the role for another term, given the BJP’s strong mandate in the state.

The move marks the beginning of the government formation process in Assam following the election results declared earlier this week.

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