Who is ‘orchestrating’ public opinion on aadhaar?

Who is ‘orchestrating’ public opinion on aadhaar?


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The Aadhaar project has constantly been in the eye of the storm. Proponents of the UID project claim it is a defining move that will end the scourge of corruption, leakages and ghost


accounts apart from ensuring targeted delivery of services with precision. Critics on the other hand have raised concerns over the spectre of a Universal Identification number linked with


biometric data, claiming this will herald the end of privacy and result in mass surveillance, apart from the data being misused by unscrupulous elements. It is worthwhile to note that the


UIDAI has not taken kindly to criticism with regard to the project. Earlier this month, it named _The Tribune_ and its reporter in a police complaint. On previous occasions, it has blocked


critics on twitter. Genuine grievances which have been raised by citizens on social media with regard to the UIDAI project have not only been brushed aside by the establishment, but given a


political colour by suggesting these concerns are motivated. On the other hand, a concerted effort to manipulate public opinion in favour of the project can be observed. Conducted in an


organised manner with the political class, mainstream media and social media working in tandem, the organised nature of the campaign is more in the nature of orchestration than the issue of


citizens raising the matter in a dispersed manner on social media.