Aadhaar linking like concentration camp numbering: Advocate

Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, arguing for one of the petitioners who challenged Aadhaar-PAN linking under the Income Tax Act, on Thursday stressed upon the dangers to a citizens' right to privacy if they were forced to submit to the draconian act of enrolling for Aadhaar cards.

A Supreme Court bench comprising justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan are hearing three pleas challenging the government's decision to make Aadhaar mandatory for filing income tax returns (ITRs) as well as for obtaining and retaining PAN (permanent account number). On Day II of the Supreme Court hearing on the issue, Divan said, "We gave birth to a state."