logo
Bihar electoral roll revision: EC tells SC 'Aadhaar card not a proof of citizenship'

Bihar electoral roll revision: EC tells SC 'Aadhaar card not a proof of citizenship'

Mint10-07-2025
Bihar electoral roll revision: The Election Commission told the Supreme Cpurt on Thursday that 'Aadhaar card not a proof of citizenship'. The ECI made the comments while responding to the court's question why Aadhaar was excluded from the Bihar Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The Supreme Court was hearing on a batch of pleas challenging the Election Commission's decision to undertake a special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the poll-bound Bihar.
The case was heard by a partial working day (PWD) bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi. Senior advocates Rakesh Dwivedi, KK VenuGopal and Maninder Singh representated the Election Commission. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appeared for one of the petitioners.
The bone of contention in the July 10 hearing was the provision in the EC's June 24 directive that sought a large section of people in Bihar to prove their Indian citizenship to take part in the Bihar Asembly Elections 2025.
The last 'Intensive Revision' in Bihar took place in 2003. The Election Commission said the people whose names were in the voter list till 2003 do not need to submit any document, as there was a detailed revision at that time.
However, other (enrolled after 2003) must provide one or more documents from a list of 11 (along with a pre-filled enumeration form for existing electors) to establish their date and/or place of birth – which, in turn, is used to determine citizenship.
Those not listed in the 2003 roll will need to submit a document for their date of birth/place of birth as per their birthdate as follows: individuals born before 1st July 1987, to provide a document for themselves, those born between 1st July 1987 and 2nd December 2004, to include documents for themselves and one parent, Individuals born after 2nd December 2004, to submit documents for themselves and both parents.
Electors whose parents' names were on the Electoral Roll as of 01.01.2003, need not submit any additional documents relating to their parents, PTI reported.
The Supreme Court questioned the timing of the EC's electoral roll revision. The court told the poll body that it should have acted early if it wanted to check citizenship under SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar. 'Isn't it too late now for that?,' the court reportedly said.
The Bench was quoted by Live Law as saying, "There is nothing wrong in you [EC] purging electoral rolls through an intensive exercise in order to see that non-citizens don't remain on the role. But if you decide only a couple of months before a proposed election..."
The SUpreme Court also asked the Election Commission: 'Why are you getting into citizenship issue in special revision of electoral rolls in Bihar? It is domain of MHA [Ministry of Homes Affairs].'
The Election Commission said the citizenship is required to be checked for being voter in India under Article 326 of Constitution.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

FTA signing, talks on Khalistan and more... Why PM Modi's UK visit is important
FTA signing, talks on Khalistan and more... Why PM Modi's UK visit is important

First Post

time26 minutes ago

  • First Post

FTA signing, talks on Khalistan and more... Why PM Modi's UK visit is important

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is off for his fourth trip to the United Kingdom. The visit, which begins today (July 23), is expected to witness the signing of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Modi's discussions with British PM Keir Starmer will also touch upon a range of bilateral issues including security and technology read more PM Narendra Modi will hold talks with British PM Keir Starmer on a range of issues. File Photo/Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on an official visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday (July 23). The trip is expected to witness the signing of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK. The two sides had concluded negotiations for the trade agreement on May 6. During his trip, Modi will discuss various issues with British PM Keir Starmer concerning bilateral relations. From the UK, PM Modi will depart for Maldives for a state visit from July 25-26. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the Indian leader begins his two-nation tour, here's what's on the agenda during the UK visit. Recent uptick in India-UK ties The relations between India and the UK have been on the rise in recent years. The Strategic Partnership between the two countries was elevated to Enhanced Partnership for the Future in 2010. The historical ties have got a boost since Brexit. In 2021, India and the UK upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They also adopted Roadmap 2030 to boost the relations in trade and investment, defence and security, and people-to-people contact and so on. In 2023, India and the UK established the 2+2 Foreign and Defence Dialogue. Last year, they launched the Technology Security Initiative. In May, New Delhi and London concluded talks to reach a bilateral Free Trade Agreement deal, discussions for which first began in January 2022. Business ties have also enhanced between India and the UK, with goods trade surpassing $23 billion in 2024-25, Indian Express reported, citing data by Indian government sources. PM Modi in the UK PM Narendra Modi, who is on his fourth visit to the UK, will hold discussions with his British counterpart Keir Starmer on a range of bilateral issues. 'They will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance,' the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in the official announcement. The Indian leader is also slated to meet King Charles III. PM Narendra Modi interacts with Britain's Keir Starmer on the sidelines of the G20 summit at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November 2024. File Photo/Reuters During the visit, PM Modi will review the state of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), 'with a specific focus on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate, health, education and people to people ties,' the MEA said. PM Modi is also likely to interact with business leaders in the UK. FTA, Khalistan & more A key part of PM Modi's UK visit is the finalisation of the trade agreement between the two countries. India and the UK are expected to sign the FTA on July 24. 'We are working on legal scrubbing and other last-minute work that needs to be done,' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told a press conference on Tuesday, ahead of PM Modi's visit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The India-UK FTA would eliminate duties on 99 per cent of Indian exports to Britain, including key sectors such as textiles, leather, gems and jewellery and auto parts and engines. In return, India will reduce or remove tariffs on 90 per cent of British products, including medical devices and alcoholic beverages. According to British estimates, the India-UK FTA will enhance bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually by 2040. PM Modi had announced the trade deal with the UK on May 6, calling it 'ambitious and mutually beneficial'. The UK government has described the agreement as 'the biggest and most economically significant bilateral trade deal'. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will accompany PM Modi to London for the signing of the India-UK FTA. The talks will reportedly feature matters related to security and technology. India is likely to raise the issue of a surge in Khalistani threat in the UK. 'The presence of Khalistani extremists…we have brought to the attention of our partners in the UK. This should be a matter of concern for our partners as well,' Misri told the media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Modi had flagged the issue to Starmer on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada in June. The two leaders had also interacted during the G20 Summit in Brazil last year. The extradition of fugitives could also be among the top agendas during PM Modi's UK visit. India is seeking the extradition of Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya, who are wanted for financial fraud, from the UK. 'There are a few questions related to fugitives from Indian law and justice in the UK. These have been a matter of discussion between both sides, and we continue to make the case for these fugitives to be rendered to India. Obviously, there is a legal process that such requests and such issues go through in the other country, and we continue to follow up very closely with our partners in the UK on these matters,' the Indian foreign secretary said. With inputs from agencies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Indian man injured in ‘mindless, racist' attack in Ireland suburb
Indian man injured in ‘mindless, racist' attack in Ireland suburb

Indian Express

time26 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Indian man injured in ‘mindless, racist' attack in Ireland suburb

An Indian man in his 40s was hospitalised following what has been dubbed 'mindless, racist violence' in a suburb of the Irish capital of Dublin, with the Indian Ambassador to Ireland calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. According to local reports, the victim had arrived in Ireland a few weeks ago when he was targeted in an assault at Parkhill Road in Tallaght on Saturday evening. The Gardai, as the police are known in Ireland, have opened an investigation into the case. 'Gardaí in Tallaght were alerted to an incident at Parkhill Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on the evening of Saturday 19th July, 2025, at approximately 6pm,' the local police said in a statement. 'Gardaí attended the scene and a male, aged in his 40s was taken to Tallaght University Hospital with injuries,' the statement added. Indian Ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra was among those taking to social media to express his shock over the attack and also questioned some of the Irish media coverage of the violent assault. 'How can an 'ALLEGED' assault cause such horrible injury and bleeding? Aghast at the insensitivity & obfuscation of RTE [Ireland's national media outlet]… Hope the perpetrators are brought to justice,' he posted on X. The 'Irish Independent' newspaper reported that the Fine Gael party Councillor for Tallaght South, Baby Pereppadan, met with the man on Monday and said he remains in 'shock'. 'He couldn't speak much because of the shock he was in, he only arrived in Ireland three weeks ago. He is not taking any visitors at the moment,' Pereppadan told the newspaper. 'I am calling for more Garda (police) presence in the area. Small incidents like these are happening frequently in Tallaght. People need to understand that many Indian people moving to Ireland are here on work permits, to study and work in the healthcare sector or in IT and so on, providing critical skills,' he said. Meanwhile, a Stand Against Racism protest has been planned by the local community in condemnation of the 'vicious racist attack' and to express solidarity with migrants to the region. The demonstration, organised by United Against Racism and Dublin South West Together, will take place on Friday at the roundabout on Treepark Road in Kilnamamagh, a residential area in Tallaght. Dublin South West Together said in a Facebook post: 'A vicious racist attack in Kilnamanagh which left an Indian man needing hospital treatment. The man was walking through Kilnamanagh when he was set upon by a gang of youths. The man was stabbed, beaten and stripped. False accusations about the man were later spread on social media in an attempt to justify the attack. 'Racists and Far Right groups have stoked the fire against immigrants for months and this has fuelled racism across Dublin city. Our local community will be taking a stand against this attack. The people being attacked are our neighbours, their children are the children of our neighbours. We must stand by them and not allow racists who inflict violence to gain any more. 'Who lives here belongs here! Let this be a turning point against racist attacks in our community, Tallaght!'

Key facts about India-UK free trade deal as PM Modi, Starmer set to sign FTA soon
Key facts about India-UK free trade deal as PM Modi, Starmer set to sign FTA soon

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Key facts about India-UK free trade deal as PM Modi, Starmer set to sign FTA soon

Britain and India are set to formally sign a free trade agreement on Thursday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UK visit, following three years of negotiations. The deal then needs approvals from the British parliament and India's federal cabinet, likely within a year. Here are the key points of the agreement: Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Cybersecurity Finance Management Product Management healthcare MBA Degree Operations Management others MCA PGDM Leadership Project Management Data Analytics Healthcare Public Policy Others Digital Marketing Artificial Intelligence Design Thinking Data Science Data Science CXO Technology Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months MIT xPRO CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity Starts on undefined Get Details TARIFF CUTS India to reduce tariffs on nearly 90% of UK goods Whisky and gin levy to fall from 150% to 75%, then to 40% in a decade Live Events Automobile tariff to fall from 100%-plus to 10% under quota Tariffs to be cut on other goods including cosmetics, medical devices, salmon, chocolates, biscuits UK to offer duty-free access to 99% of Indian items, according to Indian commerce ministry, covering nearly 100% of trade value BENEFITS FOR INDIAN SECTORS Indian exports such as textiles, footwear, gems & jewellery, furniture, auto components, chemicals, machinery, sports goods and other items likely to have zero duties, down from current levels of 4%-16% in the UK. SERVICES According to Indian commerce ministry, the UK will provide assured access for temporary stay to business visitors and contractual service providers as well as to yoga instructors, chefs and musicians. Indian workers working temporarily in the UK and their employers will be exempted from paying social security contributions in the UK for three years, with savings estimated at about 40 billion rupees ($463 million) annually. UK FIRMS TO GET ACCESS TO INDIAN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT India will provide access to British suppliers for non-sensitive government procurement tenders in the federal government, with a threshold of 2 billion rupees. The deal will give UK businesses access to India's public procurement market, comprising about 40,000 tenders with a value of about 38 billion pounds a year, according to UK government estimates. BOOST TO UK ECONOMY The trade pact is expected to increase UK GDP by 4.8 billion pounds ($6.5 billion) annually in the long term, according to British government estimates, with consumers getting access to cheaper garments, footwear and food items from India. INDIAN FIRMS TO BENEFIT Indian textile and apparel manufacturers such as Welspun India , Arvind Ltd , Raymond , Vardhman likely to benefit from duty-free access for exports to the UK. Footwear manufacturers such as Bata India , Relaxo , auto manufacturers like Tata Motors , Mahindra Electric and also Bharat Forge could benefit, according to industry analysts. UK COMPANIES UK firms including whisky distiller Diageo, auto manufacturer Aston Martin and Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover could benefit from access to fast-growing Indian market.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store