TURA, Nov 28: A social activist from South Garo Hills, Greneth Sangma, on Thursday sought clarification from the Education department regarding the mandatory requirement for students to submit their Aadhaar cards in schools and colleges.
In his complaint to the Directors of the Directorate of Higher and Technical Education and Mass and Elementary Education in Shillong, Sangma claimed schools and colleges were forcing students to submit their Aadhaar, citing a government notification.
The activist referred to the Aadhaar Act, 2016, Meghalaya Right of Children for Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011, the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and a Supreme Court ruling of 2018. These regulations do not recommend making Aadhaar mandatory or exempt it.
He sought clarification that Aadhaar is not mandatory for admissions and promotions. He also requested directions to institutions to refrain from penalizing students for not submitting Aadhaar and to comply with relevant rules and regulations.