Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) SY Quraishi has issued a statement declaring the Special Identity Registration (SIR) as an illegal mechanism. Quraishi, who previously headed the Election Commission of India, argues that the current implementation of the SIR lacks the necessary legal foundation and constitutional backing required for such identification processes. Consequently, he has urged authorities to halt the program and reverse the policy entirely.

While Quraishi’s stance is clear regarding the illegality of the process, the report from The Hindu provides limited context regarding the government's specific defense of the SIR or the intended purpose behind its implementation. The report focuses primarily on Quraishi’s professional assessment of the policy's validity rather than the broader political debate surrounding it. There is currently no mention of counter-arguments from current officials or legal experts who might support the SIR, leaving the discourse centered on the former CEC’s critique.