Apropos of "Is UIDN a tool for holocaust?", Nirad Mudur attributes benevolent motives to a regressive and malevolent project like UID Number. Mudur says, "UIDN is NOT an identity proof." His contention is factually incorrect.
According to the Press Brief for National launch of Unique Identification Numbers issued by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), "The Aadhaar number will ease these difficulties in identification, by providing a nationally valid and verifiable single source of identity proof. The UIDAI will ensure the uniqueness of the Aadhaar numbers through the use of biometric attributes (Finger Prints and Iris) which will be linked to the number". This release was issued on 29th September 2010 when Unique Identification Numbers (Aadhaar) were first distributed.
Mudur says, "What is the guarantee that the already existing 15 identity proofs (including voters' identity card or ration card) mentioned by Gopal Krishna will not be tapped to identify minorities to launch a holocaust-like pogrom?" The answer to this question is there in Government of India's Draft Discussion Paper on Privacy Bill which states, "Data privacy and the need to protect personal information is almost never a concern when data is stored in a decentralized manner. Data that is maintained in silos is largely useless outside that silo and consequently has a low likelihood of causing any damage."
As to Mudur's blind faith in the US system, he has not checked relevant facts. Draft Discussion paper on Privacy Law reveals, "There is no data protection statute in the country" unlike the U.S. Federal Privacy Statute or the European Directive on Data Protection.
UID Number is an attempt to convert a resident into a number, Indian population into a market, and then citizens into subjects. Mudur says, "Government's fault lies in not ensuring a series of open discussions on the project before launching it." Is it an innocent fault or a grave and unpardonable sin?
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