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Aadhaar linkages matter: This act will make the real person worthless, only the virtual person will prevail, says Gopal Subramanium

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8 years ago

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Gopal Subramanium

Above: Gopal Subramanium

 The hearings on Aadhaar and its various linkages and privacy and security issued attached to them continued before the Supreme Court constitution bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan on Tuesday (February 13).

The following deliberations took place with senior counsel Kapil Sibal carrying on from where he broke off:

He talked about identity taken by face, iris and fingerprints. He also submitted about foreign situations where the government took all the information only for ten years. He said that “after the 10 years all databases will be deleted and recreated. That is what happens in the most secure countries in the world.”

He pointed out: “Even if you want to access the database, it will only be for limited things. The problems which are created by Aadhaar will be suffered by out our children, grandchildren and the children who are yet to be born.

“We all know that how much national security is important for us. And this government is trying to put it in danger,” he said. He then read retired Judge Puttaswamy’s arguments, on whose petition this case has come up. He submitted that the compilations of Trip Advisor, Alibaba, Uber, and some other websites showed the business reviews which were affected by Aadhaar.

Same he said of Facebook and WhatsApp which it acquired for $19 billion.

Sibal recited Right to Privacy judgment and laid down two points:

  1. My identity cannot be made a public identity
  2. My identity is not centralized

He said: “We are challenging the architecture of the act. On the one hand we have public interest and on the other we have national security.”

Involved are “personal information, medical information,  personal identity,” he said. “Our fundamental identity is that we are citizens of India. How can this be decided only on the basis of Aadhaar? Our passports, medical facilities etc. can be rejected? The state cannot choose how to prove our citizenship.”

He further referred to Sections 3,4,8 of the Aadhaar Act. Like argued before, Sibal also insisted that authentication is the key in the use of the Aadhaar number. “Meta data is not defined under the Aadhaar Act,” he said. “Section 57 was not needed. The proviso of Section 57 says subject to authentication. In short, for almost every purpose you will need authentication. And the concept of consent is illusionary. Identity can be established only by way of authentication. Such power is infringement of Article 19(1),20.”

He further stated: “Through Aadhaar the state seeks transparency of the individual. So the purpose of the RTI Act is violated. The proportionality argument is that you are presumed to be a criminal until you are proved innocent.

“There should not be the least restrictive opportunity to achieve the object. Hence proof of identity through Aadhaar is most restrictive way, hence violative of the principle  of proportionality,” the senior counsel argued.

“If Aadhaar is made mandatory wide powers will be given to the state in respect to when and where an individual will choose to travel, open an account, live, go etc. If someone’s account is deactivated because of any reason then an individual will not be able to even operate his account. So how is it justified without there being any alternative relief available to such persons?

“The Act says that all the expenditure should be from a consolidated fund, but it does not make clear which consolidated fund it is from, India or state?” he argued.

“The right to receive entitlement is also one point to be considered,” he said. “Entitlement is one’s status. So in case of our status we don’t need Aadhaar to claim our right? Certain entitlements are available to non citizens also. No service can be denied, especially to those who are below the poverty line.

“This statute impacts our fundamental right i.e. right to livelihood. That is why the test is far more stringent,” Sibal said. Proof of identification is a statutory restriction.

He said the infrastructure of this country doesn’t allow Aadhaar. “There is no public wi-fi. Many people don’t know how to use the internet and other facilities,” he said. He brought up the case of the Kerala Education Trust which supports his arguments related to use of Aadhaar in educational areas.

He also said that fingerprints and the iris are continuously changing when a child is growing. So during the in-between years Aadhaar is of no use.

Justice Chandrachud said that “an unconstitutional condition is when one person is surrendering the rights of his personal things or identity. The government is chosen by the public at large.”

Sibal said that the entitlement is made on the person who is a citizen of this country. “I don’t have any issue with Aadhaar, but lack of infrastructure is the biggest problem and taking all personal identity is the problem. You can give it in the name of Social Security Card, but on the name of Aadhaar, it is not good.”

Justice Chandrachud asked where the doctrine of Unconstitutional conditions really lies in this. Does it ask to relinquish the condition which is created?”

The judge said: “There are some people in this country who don’t have any identity. When the government is giving one identity for all things, then what is the issue?”

Sibal said that this is given in the act. That is the social purpose of this. He referred to the act and said the answer is in the act. He said “you must have some identification cards for making Aadhaar. Hence the intention of Aadhaar is not for those people who don’t have any identity card.”

As to the distance things have been taken with Aadhaar, Sibal said: “I cannot book a railway ticket if I don’t have Aadhaar. The point is, my identity refers to me. If I show my identity it must show that I am Mr Sibal. Identity is the thing which proves that I am who I am.”

He then referred to the writ petition 841/2017 which is related to the state of West Bengal. Page 114 of the petition refers to the services rendered via Aadhaar.

He said that the government is issuing notifications from time to time. On November 17, they have issued a notification in which school attendance came on this list. He referred to the Minarva Mills case.

Sibal said: “I gave all these things to create a picture which shows that it hasn’t any constitutional validity.”

“Perhaps this is the more important case, because of the imposition,” Sibal said. The ADM Jabalpur case came before this court and this case will be remembered by me, my children and grandchildren. Now you are going to create a future. This judgment will affect many people. These are the elements your lordships have to keep in mind.

Gopal Subramanium

Senior counsel Gopal Subramanium then took up his stand. He said: “This matter is related to a sequel of saving our rights. When the Right to Privacy came before this court, the question arose. Today, we are looking at what is called a living constitution. When we see this, then we have to decide, is it fundamental or not?

“I am willing to say that the technology is getting vast. He said. “First we have to see what is the real purpose of this act. This act is a danger. It is no longer a state when it allows these type of things in a democratic society. When the identification and authentication lies with government then there is no use of a real person. Then the name is not the name, it will just be a number. And the virtual person will rule.”

The matter will again be heard on February 15.

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PM Modi’s Indonesia visit to boost defence, digital and strategic partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Indonesia visit is expected to strengthen bilateral ties through new initiatives in defence, digital infrastructure, maritime security, trade and critical minerals.

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4 hours ago

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July 6, 2026

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PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Indonesia is expected to give fresh momentum to the growing strategic partnership between the two countries, with discussions likely to cover defence cooperation, maritime security, digital connectivity, trade, critical minerals and several other sectors.

India’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty, said the relationship between New Delhi and Jakarta has entered a stronger phase following Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to India as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations last year. He said the Prime Minister’s visit is expected to further strengthen this trajectory through a series of new understandings and agreements.

Defence and maritime cooperation likely to receive major push

According to the ambassador, defence and maritime security will remain key pillars of the discussions during the visit.

He highlighted Indonesia’s strategic location along the Malacca Strait, describing secure sea lanes as vital for both countries and the wider Indo-Pacific region. He stressed that uninterrupted maritime connectivity remains essential for global trade and regional stability.

Without revealing specific details, Chakravorty indicated that the visit could produce significant outcomes in defence cooperation, saying several important announcements are expected.

‘BrahMos Plus’ hints at broader defence partnership

The ambassador also suggested that defence ties between India and Indonesia are moving beyond discussions centred on the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

Responding to a question about future cooperation, he remarked that the next phase would be “BrahMos Plus,” while refraining from providing further details.

He said future collaboration is expected to focus on defence manufacturing, technology partnerships, training and capacity building. India, he noted, has emerged as an important exporter of defence equipment and could support Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.

Military cooperation is also expanding, with India set to participate with troops for the first time in the multinational Garuda Shield military exercise after previously attending as an observer.

Digital connectivity and UPI integration gain momentum

Digital cooperation is expected to be another major highlight of the visit.

The ambassador said Indonesia is preparing to launch its Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)-inspired platform during Prime Minister Modi’s visit, making it the fastest international adopter of India’s digital public infrastructure model.

The initiative is expected to support nearly 65 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia by creating a more open digital commerce ecosystem.

Chakravorty also said discussions on integrating India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Indonesia’s payment systems have reached an advanced stage.

While technical integration remains complex due to Indonesia’s multiple payment-switch networks, he expressed confidence that progress would continue and the Prime Minister’s visit could accelerate the process.

Critical minerals and investment to feature prominently

Critical minerals are also expected to be a major area of cooperation as both countries look to strengthen supply chains for clean energy technologies and electric vehicle manufacturing.

Indonesia possesses significant reserves of nickel and other strategic minerals, while India is seeking reliable supplies to support its manufacturing ambitions.

The ambassador said India plans to invest in processing critical minerals within Indonesia rather than importing only raw materials. He added that such investments would support industrial development in both countries while contributing to India’s self-reliance goals.

Cultural ties to be highlighted

Apart from strategic and economic cooperation, the visit is also expected to showcase the longstanding cultural relationship between India and Indonesia.

Both countries will launch a 15-month programme commemorating Rabindranath Tagore’s 1927 visit to Indonesia, recognising his influence on the country’s educational and cultural landscape.

Prime Minister Modi is also expected to visit Yogyakarta, a city known for its historic temples, reflecting the deep civilisational links shared by the two nations.

With cooperation expanding across defence, digital infrastructure, trade and critical minerals, the visit is expected to mark another important step in strengthening the India-Indonesia strategic partnership and advancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Ram Mandir Trust accepts Champat Rai’s resignation amid donation theft row

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has accepted Champat Rai’s resignation as General Secretary following the donation theft controversy, with Bajrang Bagra emerging as a leading contender for the post.

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4 hours ago

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July 6, 2026

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Champat Rai

The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has accepted the resignation of its General Secretary, Champat Rai, following the controversy surrounding the alleged theft of cash donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

According to sources, Bajrang Bagra has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the post. Bagra currently serves as the International General Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). A chartered accountant by profession and a former head of PSU NALCO, he is considered to have the administrative and financial expertise required as the Trust moves into its next phase.

Sources indicated that the Trust is looking to appoint someone with strong experience in governance, finance and institutional administration to strengthen its functioning.

Although Champat Rai has stepped down as General Secretary, sources said he is expected to continue as a trustee unless he decides otherwise.

Decision on successor may come after VHP executive meeting

The appointment of the next General Secretary is unlikely to be announced immediately. The VHP’s biannual national executive meeting is scheduled to take place in Delhi on July 19 and 20, where several organisational decisions, including transfers and appointments, are expected to be discussed.

Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra had submitted their resignations after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reportedly took a firm stand on the alleged donation theft. Their resignations came after the Special Investigating Team (SIT) submitted its preliminary findings into the case.

Donation theft investigation

According to the preliminary investigation, temple staff responsible for counting cash donations allegedly siphoned off money despite CCTV cameras being installed at the counting centre. The report stated that the footage was not monitored regularly, allowing the alleged theft to continue. Reports suggest that around Rs 7 crore to Rs 7.5 crore may be missing.

So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the case. Among them is Ram Shankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu Yadav, who worked as Champat Rai’s driver.

Sources said Champat Rai has told his close associates that Tinnu Yadav played the central role in the alleged fraud and misused the trust placed in him. According to the sources, Rai also claimed that when Yadav feared he would be caught, he leaked information to a Samajwadi Party leader.

The other accused arrested in the case are Avinash Shukla, Anukalp Mishra, Lav Kush Mishra, Manish Kumar Yadav, Karunesh Pandey, Ramashankar Mishra and Subhash Srivastava.

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WhatsApp gets more time to respond on username feature, rollout in India put on hold

WhatsApp has been granted more time to respond to the government’s concerns over its username feature and has assured that it will not launch the feature in India until discussions are completed.

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4 hours ago

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July 6, 2026

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WhatsApp

Meta assures the government that the feature will not be introduced in India until ongoing consultations are completed.

Meta-owned WhatsApp has been granted an extension to submit its response to the Centre regarding its proposed username feature, while assuring the government that it will not roll out the feature in India until discussions on the matter are concluded.

According to sources, the government has allowed WhatsApp three additional days to file its response after the company sought more time. The original deadline for the reply was Friday.

The proposed username feature would allow users to connect with others without revealing their phone numbers, a move that has raised concerns within the government over its potential impact on cyber safety.

Last week, the Centre issued a notice to Meta questioning the feature, expressing concerns that it could increase online fraud, phishing attempts, impersonation, and so-called “digital arrest” scams. The government also directed the company to pause the rollout until consultations are completed to its satisfaction.

Sources said representatives from Meta met officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Friday following the issuance of the notice. During the discussions, WhatsApp reportedly assured authorities that the feature would not be introduced in India before the consultation process is completed.

The government has also asked Meta to explain why action should not be initiated under the Information Technology Act and the relevant rules if the proposed feature is found to compromise user safety. It reminded the company that WhatsApp, as a significant social media intermediary, must comply with due diligence obligations under Indian law.

A WhatsApp spokesperson had earlier clarified that the username feature is not yet live and is expected to be introduced gradually later this year.

The company said it has built several safeguards into the feature to prevent impersonation. According to WhatsApp, usernames of public figures, government entities, celebrities, and verified Meta accounts have been reserved so that they can only be claimed by their legitimate owners. It also said lookalike variations of such usernames are being restricted.

WhatsApp also clarified that users will still need a phone number to create and use a WhatsApp account. The username feature is intended only as an alternative way for people to connect.

The company added that users would need to know another person’s exact username before initiating contact. It also plans to limit how many new users an account can message, prevent repeated attempts to guess usernames, and use automated systems to detect impersonation and abusive behaviour.

To help users identify unfamiliar contacts, WhatsApp said it will display contextual information whenever someone sends a message through a username for the first time. Users will be informed whether the sender is a new account, an existing contact, someone who shares a mutual group, or a person located in another country before deciding whether to respond.

Following its notice to WhatsApp, the IT Ministry also issued notices to Telegram and Signal, seeking details on how their existing username-based systems address concerns related to fraud and impersonation. While WhatsApp has around 500 million users in India, Telegram has a significantly smaller user base.

In recent days, Meta and Telegram have also come under regulatory scrutiny on separate issues. The government recently issued a notice to Meta regarding child sexual abuse material appearing in Instagram advertisements, while Telegram was directed to strengthen action against the circulation of pirated films, OTT content, and other copyrighted audio-visual material on its platform.

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