Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has strongly criticized the West Bengal government's decision to delete ration cards that are not linked with Aadhaar numbers. Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata, Owaisi termed the move as 'anti-poor' and a violation of the right to food.
Aadhaar Linking Mandate
The West Bengal government had earlier announced that all ration cards must be linked with Aadhaar by a specified deadline, failing which they would be deleted. This initiative aims to weed out duplicate and fake beneficiaries from the public distribution system (PDS). However, Owaisi argued that the drive is causing immense hardship to poor families, especially those in rural areas where Aadhaar enrollment is low.
Owaisi's Concerns
Owaisi highlighted that many eligible beneficiaries, including elderly citizens, daily wage laborers, and migrants, do not possess Aadhaar cards. He warned that deleting their ration cards would deprive them of essential food grains, pushing them further into poverty. 'The government cannot force citizens to give up their privacy and biometric data for accessing basic necessities. This is a dangerous precedent,' Owaisi stated.
He also accused the state government of using the Aadhaar linkage as a tool to target specific communities. 'We have reports that Muslim-majority areas are being disproportionately affected. This is a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise minorities,' he alleged.
Government's Stand
The West Bengal government has defended the move, stating that it is necessary to streamline the PDS and prevent leakages. Officials have assured that adequate time and facilities are being provided for Aadhaar enrollment. They also claimed that no genuine beneficiary will be left out, and those whose cards are deleted can appeal.
Political Reactions
The issue has sparked a political row, with the opposition Trinamool Congress (TMC) accusing Owaisi of interfering in state matters. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, 'The AIMIM chief should focus on his own party's shortcomings rather than commenting on Bengal's welfare schemes.' Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has supported the Aadhaar linkage, calling it a step towards transparency.
Owaisi has demanded an immediate halt to the deletion drive and a review of the policy. He also urged the central government to intervene and ensure that no citizen is denied food security due to lack of Aadhaar. The controversy underscores the ongoing debate over the use of Aadhaar as a mandatory requirement for accessing government services and benefits.
