A dangerous move

Prime Minister I.K. Gujral's nod to the Delhi Administration's proposal seeking compulsory registration of all residents of the Union Territ...

Prime Minister I.K. Gujral8217;s nod to the Delhi Administration8217;s proposal seeking compulsory registration of all residents of the Union Territory of Delhi is shocking. The move infringes upon citizens8217; fundamental right to 8220;move freely throughout the territory of India8221;. It also exposes them to undue harassment and intimidation at the hands of the law-enforcement agencies without serving any cogent purpose. That the decision was taken at a meeting convened to discuss Delhi8217;s deteriorating law and order situation indicates that the move has been prompted by considerations of security. Does this mean that all non-registered citizens visiting the national Capital would be treated as suspects?

The Prime Minister8217;s approval of the proposal is all the more surprising since it has come at a time when general elections have been announced. The registration scheme had been proposed by the Delhi Government more than a year ago and Delhi Chief Minister Sahib Singh Verma had unsuccessfully tried to put it up for approval again and again. It is not clear what the need for such undue haste was in pushing through a move of such far-reaching implications. The decision is not only violative of the letter and spirit of the Constitution, it could also be described as downright oppressive. There is also the danger of other states emulating the Delhi pattern with disastrous consequences.

Under the scheme, the Deputy Commissioner of Delhi is supposed to identify and register all bona fide residents8217; of the Capital. What the term bona fide residents8217; means has not yet been clarified. There is a real danger that the measure may be used to check the unrestricted entry of people from other parts of India into Delhi. It could also be used against those whom local authorities do not want to reside in the Union Territory for administrative, political or other reasons. Instead of proving to be an instrument for healthier development and growth of the Capital, it could easily be turned into an instrument of harassment of and extortion from poor, illiterate migrants who keep flocking the city for jobs.

There is no disputing that like all big cities which have been experiencing pangs of growth, Delhi8217;s problems have been multiplying everyday with an unabated influx of people from other parts of the country, particularly neighbouring States. But this is not a problem of Delhi alone. Increasing urbanisation is a fact of life the world over. Ham-handed measures like compulsory registration cannot provide a solution to the problems of big cities like Delhi and Mumbai. If the government is really serious about addressing the problems created by unplanned urbanisation, it must look for social and economic solutions and consider measures to provide gainful employment to the people in the places where they already reside. If the real purpose of the move is to check unlawful activities, how can the government achieve it by putting the additional burden of maintaining a register of bona fide residents8217; and updating it every year on the civil administration, already feeling helpless against criminals? It will only be a stick to beat the poor and the hapless with.