India’s current estimated population stands at 1.42 billion. Once the census—currently on hold—is completed next year, the figure may well reach 1.45 billion. Yet, not a single one of these 1.45 billion Indians can definitively prove their citizenship, as no Indian possesses a card or document that serves as indisputable proof of citizenship. The Ministry of External Affairs has recently clarified that a passport does not constitute proof of citizenship. In other words, merely holding a passport does not entitle an individual to claim Indian citizenship. Any Indian holding a passport remains liable to be suspected of not being an Indian citizen—or of being a foreigner—at any time. The government or the ruling authority can, at its discretion, raise doubts or questions regarding the citizenship status of any passport holder.
Almost everyone living in India possesses an Aadhaar card. It is virtually impossible for a person to get by even for a single day without it. Aadhaar is essential for accessing government and private services, as well as for activities like traveling and booking hotels. Obtaining an Aadhaar card requires the submission of numerous documents; however, it does not serve as proof of citizenship. In other words, merely holding an Aadhaar card does not entitle one to claim Indian citizenship.
Even if it is possible to get one’s name included in the electoral roll by submitting numerous documents during the Election Commission’s special intensive revision process, doing so does not confer the right to claim Indian citizenship. Furthermore, documents such as PAN cards, bank passbooks, post office passbooks, and identity cards issued to employees of government, semi-government, or state-owned entities do not constitute proof of citizenship.
After considering all aspects, one can now conclude that not a single one of the 1.45 billion Indians possesses a document that can be presented to claim Indian citizenship. Who is an Indian citizen and who is not now depends entirely on the whims of the government and the ruling party. They can choose to recognize—or not recognize—any individual as a citizen at any time. Someone acknowledged as a citizen today could face questions regarding their citizenship tomorrow.
This is the nature of hegemonic rulers with a fascist mindset; it is a facet of their authoritarian tendencies. It is a strategy to ensure loyalty to the government by keeping people in a constant state of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety. This represents an ugly face of democracy. No individual can be stateless; every person in the world is a citizen of some country. Regardless of which country one belongs to, one ought to possess proof of citizenship. Denying this effectively amounts to stripping a person of their civic rights.
Indian citizens possess the full right to freely practice any religion, speak any language, and uphold any cultural heritage. Equally, they have the right to freedom of speech, as well as the right to criticize, dissent, and express their own opinions and beliefs. If, however, individuals are left in a state of uncertainty or face questions regarding their citizenship, how can they exercise the sovereign rights of citizenship guaranteed by the Constitution?
Indian citizens possess the full right to freely practice any religion, speak any language, and uphold any cultural heritage. Equally, they have the right to freedom of speech, as well as the right to criticize, dissent, and express their own opinions and beliefs. If, however, individuals are left in a state of uncertainty or face questions regarding their citizenship, how can they exercise the sovereign rights of citizenship guaranteed by the Constitution?
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