“Aadhaar number is made mandatory for registration of death with effect from October 1, 2017,” tweeted PTI on Friday afternoon.
Our first reaction, like pretty much everyone else’s, was - errm, what?
#Aadhaar number is made mandatory for registration of death with effect from October 1, 2017: #HomeMinistry.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 4, 2017
What if some one dies without #Aadhaar? Will #HomeMinistry refuse death certificate? Do relatives need to get biometrics from dead body? https://t.co/sEFkShoHIv
— Thejesh GN (@thej) August 4, 2017
Aadhaar for death certificates? Privacy becomes a funeral pyre.
— Apar (@aparatbar) August 4, 2017
So apparently, the Centre has made it mandatory to provide the Aadhaar number of the deceased before they issue death certificates. And if the person did not have an Aadhaar, or if the family does not have the Aadhaar details, they would have to make a declaration to this effect before the death certificate is issued.
An official statement released by the Registrar General of India under the Home Ministry said that the new rule made in order to prevent identity fraud, and also the need for producing multiple documents to prove a dead person's identity.
Twitter, of course, has erupted with immortality jokes, thanks both to the initial wording of the news on wire services, and the fact that Aadhaar is increasingly becoming mandatory for a host of things, despite the matter still being heard by the Supreme Court.
So sad. #Aadhaar pic.twitter.com/zhC8W2mHrc
— Abhishek (@SsupHolmes) August 4, 2017
When Jon Show died in India and forgot to get Aadhar card..#AadharCard pic.twitter.com/aisBxC0B6n
— MumBaekar.. (@katamulgi) August 4, 2017
Please die before 30th September 2017, in case you don't have an Aadhaar Card. https://t.co/LehBr8qAS5
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) August 4, 2017
October 2: Man not acknowledged as dead for failing to provide #aadhaar number after dying https://t.co/LKYShZCKQc
— Arunava Sinha (@arunava) August 4, 2017
#Aadhaar is mandatory for registration of death so if you don't have it you won't be declared death aur aap markar bhi Amar ho jaaoge
— Drunk BATMAN (@Caped_Humor) August 4, 2017
What is dead may never die.#Aadhaar inspired by House Greyjoy #GoT #FridayFeeling
— We-Viral Social (@WE_Viral) August 4, 2017
23 Jun 2010 - I blogged #Aadhaar then called #UIDAI as YOU DIE database Despite my glasses lots of foresight https://t.co/XobxsXK7L8
— MaxMadrasi (@maxmadrasi) August 4, 2017
When you are dead but forgot to link it with the Aadhar card. pic.twitter.com/kR9NqO5kMT
— जिज्ञासा (@imcurious__) August 4, 2017
Some uncovered the actual reason why Yamaraja returned Savitri’s husband.
Very few people know this but Yamraj returned Savitri's husband life back to him cuz he didn't has a #Aadhaar card
— Drunk BATMAN (@Caped_Humor) August 4, 2017
Others wondered whether gravestones, too, would need Aadhaar numbers.
And the gravestones must have Aadhaar number inscribed on them too https://t.co/gi1DcBYdl2
— YusufJameel (@jameelyusuf) August 4, 2017
Some understood how Aadhaar has now become part of our lives and can’t leave even after death.
So it's beyond 'till #death do us apart' #Aadhaar https://t.co/mGaOVsOnBq
— Aditya! (@adisave) August 4, 2017
An official statement by the Home Ministry said on Friday that the government has directed those applying for a death certificate to provide the deceased's Aadhaar number.
The Registrar General of India, under the Home Ministry, has issued directions to states to ensure compliance by registration authorities, it said.
"The use of Aadhaar for the applicants of death certificate will result in ensuring accuracy of the details provided by the relatives, dependents, acquaintances of the deceased. It will provide an effective method to prevent identity fraud. It will also help in recording the identity of the deceased person. Further, it will obviate the need for producing multiple documents to prove the identity of the deceased person," the statement said.
The statement also said that an applicant who is not aware of the deceased's Aadhaar number or Enrolment ID Number will have to submit a certificate that the deceased person does not possess Aadhaar number.
If the applicant gives false declaration, it will be treated as "an offence as per the provisions of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and also Registration of Birth and Death Act, 1969", it said.
"Applicant’s Aadhaar number shall also be collected along with the Aadhaar number of the spouse or parents," a PIB release said.
The government has already made Aadhaar mandatory for filing income tax returns, and provided for linking of PAN with Aadhaar to curb tax evasion through use of multiple PAN cards, along with linking it with bank accounts for welfare schemes.
It is also pushing for making Aadhaar mandatory for securing a driving license and vehicle registration to check bogus licenses and create national database, and marriage certifications.
(Inputs from IANS.)