All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) leader Rafiqul Islam on Friday strongly criticised the Assam government’s decision to halt Aadhaar issuance for individuals above 18 years, except those from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and tea garden communities, calling it a “Tughlaqi order.”
The remarks came a day after the Assam Cabinet announced a one-year suspension on new Aadhaar cards for most adults, a move the government said was aimed at preventing illegal foreigners from acquiring Indian identity documents.
“If a foreigner comes, detain him and send him back to his country. Why give him an Aadhaar card, add his name to the voter list, and grant citizenship? But giving Indian citizens just one month to apply, out of fear of foreigners—these are all Tughlaqi orders,” Islam said.
He further alleged that the decision was politically motivated, pointing to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. “By targeting certain individuals, the CM aims to stop them from getting Aadhaar and participating in voter list revision,” he added.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while announcing the decision on Thursday, defended the measure, stating that it was necessary to curb the misuse of Aadhaar by illegal immigrants. “No Aadhaar will be issued for persons above 18, except SC, ST, and tea garden workers, for another year. Others must apply only in September. In exceptional cases, the District Commissioner may approve Aadhaar after thorough verification,” Sarma said.
He also emphasised that the state government has intensified efforts to prevent Bangladeshi nationals from entering Assam and securing Aadhaar cards to falsely claim Indian citizenship.
