Why we need a nationwide debate on UID project

Social activists, legal researchers and academicians have demanded a nationwide public debate and discussion on the Centre's plan to issue an Unique Identification Number for Indians and its consequences.

They have also questioned the claim of the Unique Identification Authority of India -- the nodal agency responsible for implementing the ambitious project -- that it will make every citizen, particularly the poor, visible to the state.

"I fail to understand why the discussion is yet to start on the UID number. Surprisingly, the media is totally silent about this mega project and its consequences," says Usha Ramanathan, a New Delhi-based law researcher.

Ramanathan was one of the many people from different walks of life who had gathered in Patna on Monday at a national seminar to discuss the UID.

"A nationwide discussion and public debate on UID number has to take place across the country as people have a right to know its consequences," said Ramanathan. She has been working for the last few months to create awareness towards initiating a debate and discussion on the UID number.

Ramanathan pointed out that dissent on this project has not been tolerated and not too many people have raised questions about its consequences. "Editors and think tanks have been approached to support the UID number project," she said.

"The rhetoric has stayed focused on the poor, which has lent the project legitimacy. There has been no discussion from within the establishment on the possible downsides," she said.

The fear of individuals being on the government's radar and the ability of various groups to play on this fear is another likely challenge, she said.

Anil Choudhary, a member of the Indian Social Action Forum, said the UID prject violates the individual's right to privacy. The state can misuse it for targeted attacks and discrimination against certain communities, he alleged.

"Before the UID number project is implemented, a nationwide debate and discussion is a must. People have to know its consequences if it violates the right to privacy and civil liberties," Choudhary said while speaking about the role of civil society, academics and media in the project.

Gopal Krishna, a human rights activist, warned that the UID number project is dangerous to the common man, particularly the poor.

"Though I oppose the project, a public debate is necessary to expose its consequences," said Gopal Krishna, a member of the Citizens Forum for Civil Liberties.

He said that there are many things about the UID project that have not been told to the people.

Two senior researcher of the AN Sinha Insititute of Social Science -- A K Jha and Neel Ratan -- stressed that the positive aspects of the UID also needed to be included in the debate.