Bihar Aadhaar Controversy: UIDAI CEO Responds to Protests Over Voter ID Exclusion
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UIDAI Defends Aadhaar as Protests Intensify Over Electoral Roll Update Exercise in Bihar
Amid mounting protests in Bihar over the exclusion of Aadhaar from accepted documents in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar has spoken out in defense of Aadhaar’s credibility and security features.
In an exclusive interview with a leading media outlet, Kumar emphasized that Aadhaar was never intended to be India’s primary identity document but was a secure digital tool backed by biometric verification and QR-based validation.
“Aadhaar has in-built safeguards. Every card issued carries a QR code for instant verification. We’ve also developed the Aadhaar QR Scanner App so anyone can confirm authenticity,” said Kumar.
UIDAI Targets Fake Aadhaar Industry
Addressing the rising concerns over fake Aadhaar cards, Kumar revealed that the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is actively cracking down on fraudulent Aadhaar card production rings.
“In some cases, people misuse templates or Photoshop to make fake-looking Aadhaar cards. These aren’t official documents—they’re counterfeits,” he explained.
Kumar also announced a new Aadhaar mobile app, which is in its final testing stages. The app will allow:
- Digital sharing of identity with consent
- Masked Aadhaar to share limited details
- Elimination of the need for physical photocopies
Aadhaar Not Accepted for Bihar’s Voter Roll Revision
Despite these advancements, the Election Commission (EC) has excluded Aadhaar from the list of acceptable identity documents for the ongoing voter roll revision in Bihar. This move has sparked outrage across political lines and civil society.
The EC has said the exercise is progressing “smoothly at the ground level” and maintained that “no change in instructions” has been made since the rollout began on June 24.
The revision aims to cover 8 crore voters in Bihar by July 25, focusing on deletion of ineligible names and inclusion of new eligible citizens. However, critics argue that excluding widely held documents like Aadhaar and MNREGA cards is impractical and discriminatory.
Opposition Slams EC and Government
Opposition parties, particularly the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and INDIA bloc allies, have launched a full-scale attack on the Election Commission's decision.
Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in Bihar, addressed a press conference on Sunday demanding a pause in the SIR until after the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.
“It is baffling that a document like Aadhaar—issued after biometric authentication and mandated for linking with Voter ID—is being rejected,” said Yadav.
Yadav further alleged bias in applying the SIR exclusively to Bihar, pointing out that the last such nationwide exercise took place in 2003. “Why is only Bihar being targeted?” he asked.
Demand for Transparency
Yadav also urged the Election Commission to publish daily constituency-wise data, including:
- Number of voters verified
- Volunteers assisting booth-level officers
- Percentage of deletions and new enrollments
- Reason for document rejections
“Booth-level officers are bearing public frustration. The EC must support them with clear guidelines and transparency,” he added.
What ID Documents Are Accepted?
According to the EC notification, 11 specific documents are considered valid proof for voter identity under the SIR in Bihar. These include:
- Government employee ID cards (PSU & retired)
- Pension payment orders
- Educational documents (dated before July 1987)
- Birth certificates
- Passports
- Caste and residence certificates
- NRC-related papers
- Land or house allotment papers
- Forest rights certificates
- Family registers
- Government-issued certificates from 1987 or earlier
Notably missing from the list are Aadhaar, MNREGA job cards, and driver’s licenses—despite their widespread use.
Political and Social Fallout
The controversy is now becoming a flashpoint in Bihar’s pre-election climate, with various political parties accusing the Election Commission of aiding voter suppression. Social media users have also weighed in, questioning how a document used for passport issuance, income tax filings, banking, and ration access is not being considered credible for electoral verification.
What’s Next?
While UIDAI focuses on strengthening Aadhaar’s digital security and eliminating fraud, pressure is mounting on the Election Commission to reconsider its document acceptance policy.
With the July 25 deadline fast approaching, civil rights groups and opposition leaders are expected to continue their protests, seeking either the inclusion of Aadhaar or a temporary suspension of the SIR process.
The Bihar Aadhaar exclusion row highlights the growing disconnect between national digital identity infrastructure and grassroots electoral operations. As UIDAI defends Aadhaar’s credibility, the Election Commission faces mounting calls for transparency and inclusivity, especially in a politically sensitive pre-election environment.
