On its own website Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal (ABGMVM) claims it works “for the promotion and propagation of Indian classical music and dances.” Headquartered in Vashi, Navi Mumbai with 1,200 affiliated institutions and nearly 800 exam centres across the country from Assam to deep South Kerala where more than a lakh students take exams every year from prarambhik (beginners' level) to Sangeet Acharya (Ph.D level), this 87-year-old umbrella organisation has run afoul with several of its life member leading luminaries from the world of performing arts following its insistence on Aadhar details for renewal of their membership.

An outraged classical vocalist Shubha Mudgal took to social media to question this given that the apex court has made Aadhar non-mandatory, even allowing citizens to file income tax returns without their Aadhar details. Pointing out how she, like thousands of musicians in India, is a life member of ABGMVM, she reminisced how she became a life member in the 80s, because of which she regularly received a copy of Sangeet Kala Vihar, a monthly magazine published by the ABGMVM. “A few days ago, I received a letter from the Deputy Registrar of the Mandal (sent by Speed Post) informing me that despite repeated reminders (which I had not received), and insertions in Sangeet Kala Vihar about the project (which I admit to having failed to notice) I had not provided my profile and address details for an identity card which the Mandal has decided to issue to all life members,” she says and adds, “The letter warned that if I did not provide the details before August 25, 2018, I would stop receiving my copy of Sangeet Kala Vihar and could even lose my membership of the Mandal. A form attached with the letter asks for my name, phone, address etc, two passport size photographs, and a true copy of my Aadhaar card or Voter ID!”

In her response to this letter, Mudgal asked the Mandal why it requires identity cards to be issued to its life members in the first place. “In all the years that I have been a life member I have had no reason to be engaged in any financial transaction with the Mandal, other than having paid my life membership fee once when Aadhar had not even been dreamt of,” she underlines and adds, “The Mandal is not a high security zone either which requires ID proof for every person who enters the building.”

She also questioned the Mandal on the need for issuing identity cards. “After all each card will cost a minimum of Rs 40-50 rupees if not more, and will have to be couriered to each member, again at considerable cost to the Mandal. Could this money not be put to better use for the cause of music and musicians?” she asks and wants to know, “What right does the Mandal have to ask for details like Aadhaar when we are constantly being warned of the dangers of sharing Aadhaar details with the public or with unauthorised individuals and agencies?”

Drawing parallels with other organisations like the India International Centre of which she is also a member, she points out how they issue membership cards, without ask for details like Aadhaar. “Members are also encouraged to update their contact details electronically if they wish to receive notifications. But the Mandal’s unwarranted request for Aadhar and Voter ID details is clearly a violation of the right to privacy. It must be opposed.”

When DNA reached out to ABGMVM President Prabhakar Bhandare he said: “We have several instances of the monthly magazine and other mail sent to life members being returned since the addressee is not found. The Aadhar details was only a way of ascertaning the address.” He was the defensive when asked about how this violating of Supreme Court guidelines on Aadhar. “I think this is all a misunderstanding of a good intention. We will send letters to all the life members telling them we only want them to confirm their address and they needn't give us Aadhaar details. I have asked that such a clarification be carried prominently in our monthly magazine too,” he added, while acknowledging what he admitted was “a lapse” on the “staff who are not so literate.”