Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilkani insists the scheme is an inclusive one, says it has become stronger.
New Delhi: Former UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani Wednesday termed the Supreme Court’s ruling, upholding the Constitutional validity of Aadhaar, as “a landmark judgment”, and said the scheme had undergone “the ultimate scrutiny”.
In a series of tweets, Nilekani, who is the architect of Aadhaar, said: “More than just opining on the constitutionality of the act, the SC has unequivocally validated the founding principles for Aadhaar. Aadhaar is a unique identity project that is critical to the developmental goals of the nation.”
This is a landmark judgement in favour of #Aadhaar. More than just opining on the constitutionality of the act, the SC has unequivocally validated the founding principles for Aadhaar. Aadhaar is a unique identity project that is critical to the developmental goals of the nation.
— Nandan Nilekani (@NandanNilekani) September 26, 2018
In a majority judgment, a five-bench constitutional bench of the Supreme Court said that controversial Aadhaar “gives dignity to marginalised sections, which outweighs the harm”.
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Defending Aadhaar against the severe criticism heaped on it by members of the civil society and lawyers, Nilekani also said, “Aadhaar includes, it doesn’t exclude. The resident was once again recognised as being at the heart of the project, and they have gained new rights that help them assert their ownership over their data.”
‘Debates and discussions have made Aadhaar stronger’
In his final tweet, Nilekani said the “debates” and “discussions” had made Aadhaar stronger.
“Aadhaar has undergone the ultimate scrutiny in the highest court, and a lot of recommendations have been incorporated,” he tweeted. “Through the democratic process of discussion and debate, we have created a better and stronger Aadhaar together”.
Aadhaar has undergone the ultimate scrutiny in the highest court, and a lot of recommendations have been incorporated. Through the democratic process of discussion and debate, we have created a better and stronger Aadhaar together.
— Nandan Nilekani (@NandanNilekani) September 26, 2018
While the apex court has upheld the validity of Aadhar, it has placed some restrictions on its use.
Also read: BJP heaves a sigh of relief after Supreme Court’s Aadhaar judgment
Significantly, the court has struck down Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act, which had controversially allowed not just the government, but also private and corporate companies to make Aadhaar mandatory.
Disclosure: Nandan Nilekani, the founder of UIDAI, is among the distinguished founder-investors in ThePrint. Please click here for details on investors.
Well, it is easy for promoters of Adhaar to bask in the sun, get a wonderful over burnt tan! SC has clipped it’s undesirable empowerment. People of this country has become more literate and educated to understand the different shades of politics and governance. Mr. Nilekani shouldn’t be so complacent after all.
Nilekani got business for Infosys. All about money !