I round up with a story from Dandakaranya. When I was in Dantewada, the cordon and search operation were in full swing. Security forces routinely picked up tribals from villages on suspicion of being Maoists supporters. Some were killed or disappeared, others were tortured and released. A rumour started, possibly planted by those out to make quick money, that those who have an photo identity card will be spared by the security forces.
Many tribals paid handsome amounts to get their photo I cards made from private shops. It didn’t help them, but certainly did the shopkeepers. Same stories abound in the slums of Mumbai, where they are told if UID is made they will get their own free accommodation. That poor people are infatuated by IDs would not surprise anyone who knows the misinformation behind it. Secondly, the mad rush to identify everything is because indentifying is seen as first step to own it. Same is true with patents; water, air, and even life will be patented one day unless it is fought tooth and nail.
Once life is patented, then every specimen is a mere instance.
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