In a landmark judgement, a nine-judge bench, led by Justice JS Khehar, unanimously declared privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 today, overruling two previous judgements.
Many had been following the case actively, especially since the lawyers who were assisting the senior lawyers were live-tweeting the proceedings. The government had argued that privacy shouldn’t be a fundamental right, as they said that citizens do not have absolute right over their bodies.
There was an outpouring of gratitude on Twitter for the Supreme Court and for the lawyers and the petitioners who worked on the case.
The judgement brought adulations from all quarters, with a range of people thanking the court and hailing it as a victory for Indian citizens.
The Rights to Privacy hearings in the Supreme Court started because of petitions challenging the validity of Aadhaar. However, the bench decided that it needed to first tackle the question of whether Indians have a fundamental right to privacy. The matter of validity of Aadhaar, which has been made mandatory by the government, will be taken up later.
SC upholds the right to privacy Nothing vague or amorphous about it. People thank the Honourable Judges. These are moments that make India.
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) August 24, 2017
Right to Privacy is a fundamental right, rules the Supreme Court. This week has really belonged to our Judges. And our Constitution.
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) August 24, 2017
Congrats to all of us. Every single Indian. The state doesn't own us.#privacyisright
— Nikhil Pahwa (@nixxin) August 24, 2017
Thank u SC for this v important judgement
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 24, 2017
Privacy is a fundamental right. The freedom that was won in 1947 has been enriched and enlarged.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) August 24, 2017
70 years after India won freedom, Indians win freedom with their right to privacy affirmed by the Supreme Court. What a win!
— Pritish Nandy (@PritishNandy) August 24, 2017
This #Righttoprivacy judgement is truly historic. Grateful to see the Supreme Court defending people and the Constitution.
— Samit Basu (@samitbasu) August 24, 2017
Seems like a complete victory on privacy for now. True test will be its subsequent application. Let's all thank the Supreme Court.
— Apar (@aparatbar) August 24, 2017
Absolutely wonderful. This judgment on #rightoprivacy will be a milestone in the common citizen's life. Landmark judgment indeed
— S l Habib (@irfhabib) August 24, 2017
Now that the #RightToPrivacy is my fundamental right, can I live a life without #Aadhaar?
— OsamaManzar (@OsamaManzar) August 24, 2017