Saralnama
India is witnessing widespread challenges as millions, particularly from Muslim and disadvantaged communities, struggle to prove citizenship amid government actions targeting alleged 'infiltrators.' From Maharashtra to Assam, people face detention, deportation, and exclusion from voter rolls. The government’s August 2024 announcement of a 'high-power demography mission' aims to address demographic changes, especially in border areas, but details remain unclear. Courts have ruled that common identity documents like Aadhaar, voter ID, and PAN cards do not prove citizenship, complicating verification efforts. The Election Commission requires specific documents, including birth certificates and passports, but these are often inaccessible to many. The process has led to legal and bureaucratic paradoxes, with millions caught in a cycle of proving their citizenship through documents that themselves require prior proof. The Supreme Court has ordered transparency in voter list exclusions, notably in Bihar, where 6.5 million were removed from rolls. The government has yet to specify which documents conclusively prove citizenship, while the proposed national identity card remains unrealized. This situation has caused significant distress, legal battles, and fears of disenfranchisement across India. (Updated 23 Aug 2025, 09:15 IST; source: link)