Jaitley Calls SC’s Aadhaar Judgment ‘Historic’, Attacks Congress

Welcoming the decision of the Supreme Court on the constitutional validity of Aadhaar, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley dubbed the verdict a “historic judgment”, which shows that the “concept of the unique ID number has been accepted by judicial review”.

“Everyone who has been criticising Aadhaar should understand that they cannot defy technology. The mainstream should accept changes, one can understand the fringe being against [it].”

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, as quoted by ANI

While stating that Aadhaar has helped the government in saving Rs 90,000 crore every year with targeted delivery of government schemes, Jaitley also attacked the Congress, saying:

“Congress cuts a very sorry figure here, they introduced the idea but they did not know what to do with it.”

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, as quoted by ANI

‘Aadhaar Verdict Big Victory for Pro-Poor Modi Govt’

Echoing Jaitley’s view, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad also called it a “historic judgment”.

“The Supreme Court has clearly said Aadhaar doesn’t lead to any kind of surveillance. Aadhaar is constitutionally valid. It empowers the poor with dignity. They have even upheld Aadhaar linking with PAN card.”

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, as quoted by ANI

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra called the SC judgment a big victory for the “pro-poor Modi government”.

“We see it as a big victory of the Modi government, the pro-poor Modi government. The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar and has also said that it does not violate privacy.”

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, as quoted by PTI

He also hit back at the Congress after it projected the verdict as a slap on the face of the ruling party, saying the order has exposed the Opposition.

The Congress favoured middlemen while the Modi government brought Aadhaar to ensure that benefits are given directly to people, he said, reported PTI.

That is why, Patra added, the Congress had moved the apex court against it. The court has ruled that Aadhaar is safe, he said.

The Centre’s flagship Aadhaar scheme was declared constitutionally valid by the Supreme Court on Wednesday in a 4:1 judgment. But its various provisions, including its linking with bank accounts, mobile phones and school admissions, were struck down.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI.)