National database: A cabinet note to set up a national database of citizens by the Ministry of Home Affairs, has set alarm bells ringing. The database that aims to register the births and deaths of all citizens at the national level is being seen as the first step towards a National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the country. This is seen as a move to integrate the database with the population register and electorals, driving licence, Aadhar card and passport etc. The government has already moved a cabinet note to amend the Registration of Births and Deaths Act.
Last time its proposal to link Aadhar card with the voter ID faced stiff opposition in Parliament when the Election Commission recommended amending the Representation of People Act.
Periodic updating
It is learned that the database will be maintained by the Registrar General of India who will work with chief registrars on this move. The RGI will periodically update the database with various agencies in charge of Aadhaar, ration cards, electoral rolls, passports and driving licences.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced a National Register of Citizens (NRC) to identify illegal immigrants. This cabinet note seems to be the first step towards the government’s intention to march ahead in that direction.
NRC plan
The plan to create a nationwide NRC was first announced for Assam, along with the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and had sparked massive protests across the country nearly three years ago.
Sceptics say that NRC along with CAA could result in the persecution of the minority community. CAA granted citizenship to any refugee from neighbouring countries if they had moved to India before 2015 but only if they were not Muslims,.
According to Government sources, the cabinet is expected to take up this proposal shortly and the amendment bill is expected to be introduced in the next session of Parliament.
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