Even after the Supreme Court’s decision and clarification from the Centre in Parliament making Aadhaar cards only a voluntary document to possess, approximately,18 students were not allowed to take the SSC stenography group C and D exam at Cambrian School Ranchi conducted on Sunday in its absence. Many students claimed that the authorities were demanding their Aadhaar card specifically at the examination Centre as identity proof.
“I reached the examination centre on time. After showing all the valid documents, the invigilators did not allow me to enter. They were demanding to show the original Aadhaar card but no such instructions was mentioned in the admit card,” said an examinee Namita Kumari.
Similarly, another aspirant requesting anonymity, added, “Some candidates were even permitted inside the hall without showing their Aadhaar card. We requested to the officials but no one is listening to our pledge. This is not justified.”
However some eyewitnesses present at the centre said that the authorities were asking for the identity proofs which included driving licence, voter IDs etc and not the Aadhaar card specifically. Some even added that the confusion arose as few students went to cyber cafes to get the documents printed and thus got late. Hence the centre supervisors did not allow them to enter.
“The confusion was regarding the timing and not regarding any valid identity cards. I was allowed to enter and took the examination without the Aadhaar. The examination is being conducted smoothly inside,” said Manisha Kumari who took the examination in the first half at Cambrian Public School centre.
After receiving the information about the bewilderment from the centre, Ranchi DC, Manoj Kumar said only after verifying the matter action will be taken. “I have received complain from one of the student. However, she mentioned only about the timing and not about the identity cards. After gathering all the details, action will be taken. The administration will know the version of each official in charge present at the centre,” added Kumar.