'TMC delegation meets EC, flags deactivation of Aadhaar cards in West Bengal'

[Sukla Sen]

On the one hand, inspired reports as regards the impending notification of (anti-Constitution) CAA rules -- rather inexplicably pending for over four long years (ref.: <https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/UserGuide/E-gazette_2019_20122019.pdf>), despite the (in)famous promise of "Pehle CAB/CAA, Phir NRC" plus "Aap Chronology Samjhiye", by no less than Amit Shah himself (ref.: <https://youtu.be/Z__6E5hPbHg?si=rzgk1O-6KmW3ruLE>) - before the oncoming parliamentary polls are being repeatedly carried by the godi media (ref.: <https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/lok-sabha-polls-2024-centre-likely-to-notify-caa-rules-before-model-code-of-conduct-kicks-in-say-sources-419216-2024-02-28>) and of course the government leaders (ref.: <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/caa-implementation-within-a-week-union-minister-shantanu-thakur/article67788396.ece/amp/> and <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/caa-will-be-implemented-before-lok-sabha-election-says-amit-shah/article67833557.ece/amp/>) too (more as a threat than a promise?), and on the other, a large number of those who had eagerly and endlessly been looking forward to the realisation of these promises now find their Aadhaar Cards getting deactivated, presumably having been found non-citizens (ref.: <https://youtu.be/ltYPs0Y1QtI>, 1:20 - 1:30 mins., in particular. To be read together with: <https://www.scconline.com/blog/post/2023/10/06/uidai-notifies-aadhaar-enrolment-and-update-amendment-regulations-2023-legal-news/>.)

(It's really a mystery what stops the government from notifying the Rules, which, at this stage, may perhaps be done merely at an hour's notice!?)

A bolt from the blue!?

Not really.

It was always meant to be a clever trap. (Ref.: <https://frontierweekly.com/views/dec-20/21-12-20-On%20CAA.html> and <https://groups.google.com/g/greenyouth/c/q1LNbmefKrI/m/Q6wpTsGiAQAJ>.)

To foment Hindu-Muslim conflicts -- in order to push the NRC through under its cover and even otherwise.

In case you doubt, in Assam -- in terms of absolute numbers, the NRC drive has hit many more Hindus than Muslims (ref.: <https://sabrangindia.in/article/over-7-lakh-hindus-among-those-excluded-nrc-leaked-data-suggests/>).

<<A five-member delegation of the Trinamool Congress on Monday met the Election Commission (EC) urging the panel to ensure that thousands of persons in West Bengal, whose Aadhaar cards have been deactivated, should not be barred from casting their votes in the coming Lok Sabha polls. The EC assured the TMC leaders that voters will not be stopped from exercising their franchise.

The voters can cast their ballot showing their voter ID card or any of the other specified identity documents, the EC said. The TMC delegation comprising Rajya Sabha leader Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Dola Sen and Saket Gokhale, and Lok Sabha members Pratima Mondal and Sajda Ahmed met the Chief Election Commissioner and raised the issue of alleged Aadhaar deactivations.>>

(Ref.:  <https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/aadhaar-not-mandatory-for-voting-election-commission-tells-tmc-delegation/article67888258.ece>.)