Assam’s civil administration is grappling with pressing challenges around the National Register of Citizens (NRC), electoral roll revision, and identity documentation. The central debate revolves around whether the NRC should be finalised before initiating the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Concerns of disenfranchisement, especially among marginalized communities, have added urgency to the issue.
At the same time, policy decisions such as suspension of Aadhaar enrolment raise questions of inclusivity and access. Together, these developments reflect the complex governance landscape of Assam, where administrators must balance legality, fairness, and social stability.
Demand for NRC Finalization Before Electoral Roll Revision
- The CPI(M) Assam State Committee has urged that the NRC be officially finalised and notified before any electoral roll revision begins.
- Without a finalised NRC, the SIR process risks excluding genuine citizens, particularly vulnerable groups such as migrants, minorities, Dalits, and
- The precedent of Bihar, where nearly 65 lakh names were deleted during voter roll revisions in just two months, has heightened these fears.
- Although the NRC draft was published in 2019 under Supreme Court supervision (with March 24, 1971, as the cut-off), the absence of official notification and rejection slips has left thousands in uncertainty and legal limbo.
Aadhaar Enrolment Suspension and Its Societal Impact
- From October 2025, the Assam government plans to halt Aadhaar enrolment for adults, with exceptions only for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- Critics, including CPI(M) and civil rights groups, argue that Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship but merely an identity and address verification tool, a position also upheld by the Supreme Court.
- Estimates suggest that 10–12 lakh adults in Assam, mostly from socioeconomically backward or illiterate sections, are still without Aadhaar.
- Suspending enrolment could deny these groups access to welfare schemes, banking, and government services, thereby intensifying exclusion.
- Government claims of over 100% Aadhaar coverage have also been questioned, as UIDAI data indicates coverage at around 95% as of mid-2025.
Navigating Governance Complexities
- The issues surrounding NRC and Aadhaar reflect deeper governance dilemmas in Assam. Effective administration in such contexts requires:
- Transparent completion and official notification of the NRC with proper avenues for legal redress.
- Policy clarity on Aadhaar enrolment to ensure that no citizen is left out of essential services.
- Safeguarding electoral integrity while ensuring no community is unfairly disenfranchised.
- Building trust in institutions through open communication and consistent adherence to legal norms.
Way forward
Assam’s experience highlights the intricate balance between enforcing legal frameworks and protecting citizens’ rights in a socially diverse and politically sensitive environment. Administrators in such settings must practice not only procedural efficiency but also empathy, ensuring that democratic processes remain both credible and inclusive.
Read: Woolah Tea
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