Shillong, Aug 21: Social activist Greneth M Sangma has submitted a written complaint to Chief Secretary and State Vigilance Commissioner Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed seeking immediate intervention against the alleged practice of making Aadhaar effectively compulsory across government departments, public institutions and online portals in Meghalaya.
In the letter Sangma alleged that citizens are being forced, pressured or technically prevented from accessing government services without Aadhaar, despite official statements that it is not universally mandatory. He said that the grievance is not against voluntary enrolment.
Sangma said he has received numerous complaints regarding insistence on Aadhaar by field-level functionaries including ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and Gram Sevaks, as well as by various government offices. He also cited a complaint alleging that a person was not permitted to proceed at a hospital reception without providing an Aadhaar card and requested the Health Department to verify whether any medical institution is making Aadhaar compulsory for registration where no legal requirement exists.
The complaint further stated that in several government online systems, Aadhaar has allegedly been made a mandatory field with no option to select “I do not possess Aadhaar” or to upload another legally accepted identity document. This, it said, effectively makes Aadhaar compulsory even when the government maintains it is optional.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s 2019 Puttaswamy judgment and Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, Sangma said Aadhaar requirements must remain within the authority of law and that UIDAI has recognised alternate means of identification where Aadhaar has not been assigned.
He also cited the Meghalaya High Court judgment dated October 29, 2025 in PIL No. 6 of 2025, which held that notifications insisting on Aadhaar would not apply to SC/ST students up to post-matriculation level and recognised alternative documents for establishing identity.
Sangma has requested the government to issue a state-level clarification on circumstances where Aadhaar may be lawfully required, direct all departments and institutions not to impose it without specific legal authority, and audit government portals to remove technical compulsion. He has asked that portals provide an “I do not possess Aadhaar” option with facility to upload alternative ID, and that hospitals not deny healthcare registration without Aadhaar except where legally mandated. He also sought strict compliance with the High Court judgment and an action taken report.
Sangma said that if no satisfactory clarification or corrective action is taken, he will approach competent statutory authorities or the High Court for legal remedies.
