Assam Tightens Aadhaar Card Application Process: NRC Receipt Now Mandatory for New Applicants

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a significant change in the state’s Aadhaar card application process on Saturday, stating that new applicants will now be required to submit their National Register of Citizens (NRC) application receipt number. This move, according to Sarma, is aimed at curbing the issue of doubtful citizens and preventing the influx of illegal foreigners.

Speaking at a press briefing, the Chief Minister revealed that the number of Aadhaar applications in the state has surpassed its population, indicating potential discrepancies in citizenship claims. “Applications for Aadhaar cards are more than the population…It indicates that there are doubtful citizens, and we have decided that new applicants will have to submit their NRC application receipt number (ARN),” Sarma stated, as quoted by PTI.

The new measure is expected to tighten the process of obtaining Aadhaar cards in Assam, making it more difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain this crucial identification document. “It will not be easy to get Aadhaar in Assam,” Sarma emphasized, adding that the state government will be “very strict” in issuing Aadhaar cards to ensure only eligible citizens receive them.

However, Sarma clarified that this requirement will not apply to the 9.55 lakh individuals whose biometrics were locked during the NRC process. “Submission of the NRC application receipt number will not be applicable for these people, and they will get their cards,” he said.

In addition to the Aadhaar card measures, the Assam government has intensified efforts to identify and deport illegal foreigners. Sarma mentioned that several Bangladeshi nationals had been apprehended in recent months and handed over to authorities in their home country. This aligns with the state’s broader agenda to tackle illegal immigration and address concerns over demographic changes in certain areas.

The Chief Minister has frequently raised concerns about the demographic shifts in Assam, particularly in areas where the Hindu population is shrinking. On August 28, Sarma announced plans to release a comprehensive white paper detailing the demographic changes, specifically pointing to the rising Muslim population in historically Hindu-majority areas. “There is no report of communal violence, and the two communities are living peacefully. But a reverse situation is happening on the other front,” Sarma remarked.

The Assam government’s efforts to enforce stricter Aadhaar application rules and its ongoing focus on demographic changes underscore the state’s commitment to maintaining its identity and addressing concerns surrounding illegal immigration.