Love, on the basis of links

Aadhaar Conundrum

Raghav lowered the newspaper that he was immersed in, disrupted by the force with which his wife Padma placed a tumbler of filter coffee before him on the table.

Thanks to the experience gained through 20 years of his married life, he sensed that a bombshell might explode. “Paddu, is anything wrong?” he naively asked his wife, assuming that addressing her by pet name could cool down invisible embers, if any.

Padma twitched her neck and went inside the kitchen. The aroma of filter coffee tempted Raghav to go for coffee first and then behind his wife, and this incensed Padma. When Raghav finally followed her, she proclaimed, “This is one of the last cups of coffee I’m serving you.” “Is coffee powder running out of stock? I’ll replenish today,” apologised Raghav. “I’ll come to the crux. Tell me, how do we part ways legally?” asked a stern-looking Padma.

“Oh, you mean divorce?” Raghav was shocked, but Padma replied casually, “Not really. I just want a legal separation.” “But both mean one and the same,” pleaded Raghav. Padma was quick on her feet, “In the apex court, doesn’t the government argue that Aadhaar is not compulsory, but it’s a must. In the same way, I want a legal separation, not a divorce.”

Raghav picked up her cue and guessed that the issue between them could hinge around Aadhaar. “Well. Your point’s taken. But tell me, what’s the genesis of your anger?” Padma replied, “For the last few months, you’ve completely ignored me, even forgotten my birthday. There has been no worthwhile communication between us.”

“I understand your grievance, Paddu. But my entire life these days is spent on linking Aadhaar with every other service – ration card, PAN card, mobile phone, bank account, investments, KYC...”

“And in the process of linking Aadhaar, you’ve severed your links with me. You’re concerned about paper and digital links, and not our emotional links.”

“I agree, Paddu. I’m still struggling with Aadhaar and PAN linking. Once I’m through with this, I’ll devote all my time to you.” Padmasaid, “Aadhaar and PAN? I read that Supreme Court has said very clearly that PAN cannot be invalidated without Aadhaar.” “Very true. The court has decreed that if there’s no Aadhaar, no issue. But if people have Aadhaar, they need to link.” “Then we could as well have avoided Aadhaar.”

“Oh no. The government has come out with an explanation, ‘If there’s no Aadhaar, PAN won’t be invalidated. But if people haven’t applied for Aadhaar, then they will be invalidated. I mean, they can’t sleep peacefully till they apply for Aadhaar.”

Padma was about to pass out, unable to decipher Raghav’s language, but Raghav continued, “My PAN and Aadhaar link hasn’t been successful till date, despite the government coming out with many links and hyperlinks. There’s a name mismatch. I’ve been advised to change either the PAN or Aadhaar, or perhaps both of us… Sorry, that’s a slip of the tongue… I meant, both Aadhaar and PAN.”

Realising the complete disarray that her husband was in, Padma sympathised with him and said, “Okay, darling. I’ll continue to maintain my links with you; so go ahead with your Aadhaar links peacefully.”

Planting a sweet kiss on his cheek, she went ahead with her routine, and for the first time, Raghav realised that Aadhaar does have a utility, a romantic one at that.