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In a significant development that challenges political narratives around immigration and identification, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has revealed that only 11,272 Aadhaar cards have been issued to foreign nationals across the country. The information came to light after Member of Parliament Saket Gokhale filed an RTI query seeking clarification on the matter.
This figure represents just 0.007% of the total 142 crore Aadhaar cards issued nationwide, contradicting claims frequently made by senior government officials about widespread possession of Aadhaar cards among foreign nationals living in India.
Home Minister Amit Shah and several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have repeatedly suggested over the past year that a substantial number of “illegal immigrants” or “infiltrators” in India have managed to obtain Aadhaar cards. These assertions have featured prominently in political discourse, particularly during election campaigns.
Gokhale shared UIDAI’s response letter on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), questioning the disconnect between official data and political rhetoric. “If UIDAI clearly knows that only 11,272 foreigners have Aadhaar cards, then the remaining cards obviously belong to Indian citizens,” Gokhale noted in his post.
The revelation raises several important questions about identification policies and their implementation. Gokhale specifically highlighted the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) previous reluctance to accept Aadhaar as proof of citizenship, despite the government possessing precise data on foreign nationals holding the identification.
“Since Aadhaar verification is biometric-based and can detect fakes within seconds, why does the Home Minister keep alleging the existence of fake Aadhaar cards?” Gokhale asked in his social media post.
Aadhaar, India’s biometric identification system launched in 2009, has become the world’s largest biometric ID program with over 1.4 billion enrollments. The system was designed to provide a unique identity to residents and improve the delivery of government services, though its implementation and usage have faced numerous legal and privacy challenges over the years.
The MP further suggested that the ECI only began using Aadhaar for voter verification after a Supreme Court directive. He characterized the verification process as a “Silent Invisible Rigging” (SIR) exercise, alleging that it might serve as a backdoor approach to implementing a National Register of Citizens (NRC), potentially targeting voters who do not support the ruling party.
This controversy emerges against a backdrop of recent electoral disputes. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently alleged voting irregularities in Haryana, where his party lost by a narrow margin, and has made similar claims about the Maharashtra elections. The Election Commission has yet to respond to these allegations.
The timing is particularly sensitive as voting is currently underway in Bihar, with concerns about electoral integrity becoming increasingly prominent in public discourse.
Political analysts note that debates around citizenship, identification, and voter rights have intensified in recent years, particularly following the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act in 2019 and discussions about a potential nationwide National Register of Citizens.
The UIDAI data appears to challenge a central narrative that has been used to justify stricter citizenship verification measures. However, government supporters might argue that even a small number of non-citizens with identification documents represents a security concern that needs addressing.
As elections continue across various states, questions about the relationship between identification systems, citizenship verification, and voting rights remain at the forefront of India’s political conversation.
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16 Comments
This RTI response from UIDAI is a useful reality check on the claims made by government officials regarding the number of foreign nationals holding Aadhaar cards. It’s crucial that public debates are informed by reliable data, not unsubstantiated rhetoric.
Agreed. Responsible governance and policymaking require a commitment to factual accuracy and transparency. Discrepancies between official statistics and political narratives undermine public trust and the integrity of the democratic process.
This RTI response from UIDAI presents an interesting counterpoint to the political narratives around foreign nationals and Aadhaar cards. It’s important to scrutinize claims made by government officials and ensure that policies are based on verifiable data.
Agreed. Policymaking should be guided by facts, not rhetoric. It’s concerning to see such a stark mismatch between official statistics and the political discourse on this issue.
This RTI response from UIDAI sheds light on the actual numbers of Aadhaar cards issued to foreign nationals, which appears to be much lower than the political rhetoric suggests. It’s crucial that public debates and policy decisions are grounded in reliable, factual data rather than unsubstantiated claims.
I agree. Responsible governance requires a commitment to transparency and accuracy. When there is a significant discrepancy between official statistics and political narratives, it undermines public trust and the integrity of the democratic process.
The UIDAI’s clarification on the number of Aadhaar cards issued to foreign nationals provides an important counterpoint to the political rhetoric on this issue. It’s concerning to see such a significant disconnect between official data and the claims made by government officials.
Absolutely. Fact-based discussions and evidence-driven policymaking are essential for addressing complex societal challenges. Politicians have a duty to rely on verified information and avoid spreading misinformation, even if it aligns with their political narratives.
This RTI response from UIDAI provides important context and clarification on the actual numbers of Aadhaar cards issued to foreign nationals. It’s concerning to see such a significant disconnect between official statistics and political rhetoric.
Yes, it’s troubling when political leaders make assertions that are not supported by factual evidence. Transparent and data-driven policymaking is essential for addressing complex issues like immigration.
The revelation that only 0.007% of Aadhaar cards have been issued to foreign nationals is quite surprising, given the frequent political rhetoric on this topic. It’s crucial that public debates are grounded in reliable data rather than unsubstantiated claims.
Absolutely. Fact-checking and responsible use of data should be the foundation for any meaningful discussion on issues like immigration and identification. Politicians have a duty to provide accurate information to the public.
Interesting to see the disconnect between official data and political rhetoric. It’s important to have accurate information on issues like immigration and Aadhaar card issuance, rather than relying on unsubstantiated claims.
Agreed. Politicians should be held accountable for making claims that are not backed by credible data. Fact-checking is crucial for informed public discourse.
The UIDAI’s response provides a valuable perspective on the actual numbers of Aadhaar cards issued to foreign nationals, which appears to be significantly lower than the political rhetoric suggests. This highlights the need for evidence-based policymaking and public discourse.
Absolutely. It’s important that political leaders and the public have access to accurate, verifiable data on issues like immigration and identification. Fact-checking and transparent use of information should be the norm in policy discussions.