BANGALORE
Activists and others who have been opposing Aadhaar want UID project to be scrapped
Many Bangaloreans are gladly saying “I told you so!” since the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the Unique Identification Card cannot be mandatory to avail benefits of government schemes.
There have been several active campaigns against Aadhaar, and some of the campaigners, besides petitions, have even filed suits against the government on the UID project. For them, the SC ruling has come as a welcome move. It is the first step towards halting the faulty project, they say.
Colonel Thomas Mathew, one of the first to file a civil suit on this in early 2011, vows that the fight is far from over. “The SC ruling today is the first step in the right direction of course. But we will continue our fight. We had asked the court to put a stop to this Aadhaar project. Instead the SC has said that the registration for the identity card was purely voluntary and government departments cannot demand the card in order to provide a service.”
WHERE’S THE LEGAL SANCTITY?
There is no law or ordinance regarding Aadhaar. “If the government links ration, LPG or scholarships to Aadhaar, what right to food or right to education do we as Indian citizens claim to have?” Colonel Mathew asks. “If a stranger asks for your name and address, you do not give, and yet you willingly run to fly-by-night operators to submit your biometrics. Did you check who will make use of your information? Which company made the instruments which recorded the biometrics? Will your data be used by other countries? The public are stupid to give all their information to contract employees who are there today and gone tomorrow,” he rues.
The reason why he filed a suit instead of a PIL, he says, was to expose the fraud and corruption involved in the whole process.
WHO GETS THE DATA?
“Everything about it is wrong. The government has been misleading the public about it. It entrusted the process to two companies, L1 Identities Solutions, which was bought by Safron and renamed as Morpho Trust, and Accenture Services, both of which have been mired in fraud. Both of them have been found guilty on several counts and had to pay huge penalties.
Nandan Nilekani was given ID Limelight Award in Milan for his work on the UID project. A key sponsor of the award was Safron Morpho. How can we trust them with such sensitive information?” senior advocate BT Venkatesh, who filed the suit for Colonel Mathew and Somashekara, asks.
He defines the UID project as a “criminal conspiracy by the state”.
The suit was dismissed once, and the appeal on it will be heard in October. “All the people involved in this project should be sent to jail,” he says.
NOT A PENNY MORE
Vinay B, an urban reform researcher, who has been actively fighting for the Say No to UID Campaign, says that Monday’s SC ruling proves that “the government has been misleading people.
By making citizens feel threatened that they would lose out on benefits if they do not have an Aadhaar, the government has treated people badly. They spread so many misconceptions about this project. For example, most people believe it to be a card, when it is just a letter. The whole UID exercise shows how people need to be aware. I hope the people will take the government to task now,” he says.
Crores of rupees have been spent on the project already. Not another paisa should be spent on it anymore, these campaigners say.
Manipur CM N Biren resigns nearly two years after ethnic violence in state
Viral Video: Women travel in train toilet to Maha Kumbh, internet says "Is this a joke?
Vicky Jain's 'bizarre' comment leaves wife Ankita fuming with anger, netizens declare him 'red flag'
Bengaluru cops stop Ed Sheeran's street performance, video goes viral - Watch
Viral video: Lion spotted on moving jeep? Here’s the truth
YouTuber Gaurav Taneja reveals he was 'shocked' over his wife's decision to...
Teddy Day 2025: Date, history and significance of the fourth day of Valentine’s week
'Sugar is the biggest toxin...': Naga Chaitanya calls sugar more toxic than alcohol and tobacco
‘Over for Blinkit, Zepto’, this startup claims ‘delivering humans’ in 10 minutes, shocks netizens
Pratik Gandhi on his struggles, managing job with acting: 'Chaar gante sona luxury tha' | Exclusive
Why did Kumar Vishwas' wife cry after Manish Sisodia lost Delhi Elections: 'Not always power...'
'Fast and Furious' cars collision creates a Rohit Shetty scene on Indian road, viral video
'Go to the room, cry...': Salman Khan's wisdom on love, breakup is all you need this Valentine's Day
Parvesh Verma, BJP leader who defeated Arvind Kejriwal, makes BIG claim, says, 'we have to do...'
Sumona Chakravarti on joining Kapil Sharma show: 'Went from Ram Kapoor's sister to...'
Is Elon Musk still interested in buying TikTok? Tesla CEO provides BIG update, claims...
Groom's mother and mama join hands to burn the dance floor down, viral video sets internet on fire
What is historic 'Blue Gold', costlier than real gold?
Salman Khan opens up about his daddy issues with Salim Khan: 'How can he be right all the time...'
Powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake jolts Caribbean, tsunami advisory issued
Salman Khan supports Sooaj Barjatya, pens note on his OTT debut, calls his show Bada Naam Karenge...
Little girl's energetic dance to 'London Thumakda' leaves netizens in awe, WATCH viral video
Meet man who left IIT, later earned Rs 286 crore in just 20 weeks by...
Viral Video: Sadhus playing cricket at Mahakumbh mela wins hearts online, watch
Happy Chocolate Day 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, quotes to share with your partner on February 9
Meet woman, who plays key role in Rs 33661 crore company, daughter of billionaire
Vicky Kaushal and Akshaye Khanna didn't talk to each other on the Chhaava sets because...
Nita Ambani, Nick Jonas share candid moments at Siddharth Chopra's wedding, WATCH viral video
UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam 2025 registration date extended by 7 days; apply at upsc.gov.in
'Fight for progress of Delhi will continue', says LoP Rahul Gandhi after Congress's Delhi debacle
Namma Metro Fare Update: Travel rides get costlier by 50 per cent from THIS date; check details
'AAP-Da Mukt Delhi': PM Modi hails BJP's resounding victory in assembly polls 2025
'He is fit to...': India batting coach shares BIG update on Virat Kohli ahead of IND vs ENG 2nd ODI
IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma on cusp of breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record in elite openers list
NASA confirms Sunita Williams' return date, denies US President Trump’s ‘stranded’ claim
Meet man whose airline went bankrupt, still has Rs 43894 crore net worth, he is...
Ranji Trophy: Suryakumar Yadav's horror show with bat continues, India star clean bowled for just...
Chocolate Day 2025: 5 easy homemade chocolate recipes to impress your partner
Mass layoffs at Infosys as company terminates 700 freshers over...
Priyanka Chopra wears 62-emerald bead Bvlgari necklace at her brother's wedding
Chocolate Day 2025: Date, significance, history and celebration ideas
Meet Swati Singh, wife of BJP's Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal by 4089 votes
Meet man, son of world’s richest woman, he is set to take over Rs 1642000 crore empire as...
SHOCKING! Bride's family cancels wedding at last moment over groom's low...
Nita Ambani, Shloka Mehta stun in gorgeous sarees at Priyanka Chopra's brother's wedding
Meet Trisha and Sanidhi, daughters of BJP's Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal