Snigdhendu Bhattacharya, Hindustan Times Kolkata, September 08, 2014
First Published: 18:34 IST(8/9/2014) | Last Updated: 18:38 IST(8/9/2014)
One of the most common Bengali expletives – the state’s equivalent to an English four-letter word -- has replaced names of citizens in Aadhaar cards in West Bengal.
Though the exact number of people hit by what appeared to be a prank by miscreants is not known, at least two persons have lodged official complaints in this regard.
Bapi Sarkar’s card (no. 374927684501) reached his home at 216, GT Road, Baidyabati, in Hooghly district, a few days ago and since then, has become the talking point in his neighbourhood.
But the shock was not limited to Bapi’s card.
In the Aadhaar card of his father, Chittaranjan (no. 457951618058), too the same expletives have been used.
To make matters worse, both of them have been mentioned as transgenders in the cards.
Another resident of Baidyabati, Krishna Chandra Bhowmik too have reported receiving a card with expletives.
“This is a perfect example of how callous the people working with the Unique Identification Authority of India could be. How could such tampered names be registered under a government scheme?” Bapi Sarkar asked. “This is harassment at its height,” he added.
Bhowmik and Sarkar confirmed that the initial printout of their Aadhaar cards that they got on the spot of enrollment had everything right.
“Someone must have tampered with the names and gender after that. But how could such entries go on print unchecked?” a visibly angry Bhowmik asked.
Bhowmik and Sarkar had initially taken up the issue with local public representatives. This has only worsened the situation, since the news has spread word of mouth to all the neighbouring areas and the issues has become a topic for the locals to make fun.
Their case is so pathetic that they are turning into laughing stock wherever they are going with the complaint.