In 2009, I became extremely concerned with the concept of Unique Identity for various reasons. Connected with many like minded highly educated people who were all concerned.
On 18th May 2010, I started this Blog to capture anything and everything I came across on the topic. This blog with its million hits is a testament to my concerns about loss of privacy and fear of the ID being misused and possible Criminal activities it could lead to.
In 2017 the Supreme Court of India gave its verdict after one of the longest hearings on any issue. I did my bit and appealed to the Supreme Court Judges too through an On Line Petition.
In 2019 the Aadhaar Legislation has been revised and passed by the two houses of the Parliament of India making it Legal. I am no Legal Eagle so my Opinion carries no weight except with people opposed to the very concept.
In 2019, this Blog now just captures on a Daily Basis list of Articles Published on anything to do with Aadhaar as obtained from Daily Google Searches and nothing more. Cannot burn the midnight candle any longer.
"In Matters of Conscience, the Law of Majority has no place"- Mahatma Gandhi
Ram Krishnaswamy
Sydney, Australia.

Aadhaar

The UIDAI has taken two successive governments in India and the entire world for a ride. It identifies nothing. It is not unique. The entire UID data has never been verified and audited. The UID cannot be used for governance, financial databases or anything. It’s use is the biggest threat to national security since independence. – Anupam Saraph 2018

When I opposed Aadhaar in 2010 , I was called a BJP stooge. In 2016 I am still opposing Aadhaar for the same reasons and I am told I am a Congress die hard. No one wants to see why I oppose Aadhaar as it is too difficult. Plus Aadhaar is FREE so why not get one ? Ram Krishnaswamy

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.-Mahatma Gandhi

In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place.Mahatma Gandhi

“The invasion of privacy is of no consequence because privacy is not a fundamental right and has no meaning under Article 21. The right to privacy is not a guaranteed under the constitution, because privacy is not a fundamental right.” Article 21 of the Indian constitution refers to the right to life and liberty -Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi

“There is merit in the complaints. You are unwittingly allowing snooping, harassment and commercial exploitation. The information about an individual obtained by the UIDAI while issuing an Aadhaar card shall not be used for any other purpose, save as above, except as may be directed by a court for the purpose of criminal investigation.”-A three judge bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar said in an interim order.

Legal scholar Usha Ramanathan describes UID as an inverse of sunshine laws like the Right to Information. While the RTI makes the state transparent to the citizen, the UID does the inverse: it makes the citizen transparent to the state, she says.

Good idea gone bad
I have written earlier that UID/Aadhaar was a poorly designed, unreliable and expensive solution to the really good idea of providing national identification for over a billion Indians. My petition contends that UID in its current form violates the right to privacy of a citizen, guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. This is because sensitive biometric and demographic information of citizens are with enrolment agencies, registrars and sub-registrars who have no legal liability for any misuse of this data. This petition has opened up the larger discussion on privacy rights for Indians. The current Article 21 interpretation by the Supreme Court was done decades ago, before the advent of internet and today’s technology and all the new privacy challenges that have arisen as a consequence.

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP Rajya Sabha

“What is Aadhaar? There is enormous confusion. That Aadhaar will identify people who are entitled for subsidy. No. Aadhaar doesn’t determine who is eligible and who isn’t,” Jairam Ramesh

But Aadhaar has been mythologised during the previous government by its creators into some technology super force that will transform governance in a miraculous manner. I even read an article recently that compared Aadhaar to some revolution and quoted a 1930s historian, Will Durant.Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Rajya Sabha MP

“I know you will say that it is not mandatory. But, it is compulsorily mandatorily voluntary,” Jairam Ramesh, Rajya Saba April 2017.

August 24, 2017: The nine-judge Constitution Bench rules that right to privacy is “intrinsic to life and liberty”and is inherently protected under the various fundamental freedoms enshrined under Part III of the Indian Constitution

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the World; indeed it's the only thing that ever has"

“Arguing that you don’t care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don’t care about free speech because you have nothing to say.” -Edward Snowden

In the Supreme Court, Meenakshi Arora, one of the senior counsel in the case, compared it to living under a general, perpetual, nation-wide criminal warrant.

Had never thought of it that way, but living in the Aadhaar universe is like living in a prison. All of us are treated like criminals with barely any rights or recourse and gatekeepers have absolute power on you and your life.

Announcing the launch of the # BreakAadhaarChainscampaign, culminating with events in multiple cities on 12th Jan. This is the last opportunity to make your voice heard before the Supreme Court hearings start on 17th Jan 2018. In collaboration with @no2uidand@rozi_roti.

UIDAI's security seems to be founded on four time tested pillars of security idiocy

1) Denial

2) Issue fiats and point finger

3) Shoot messenger

4) Bury head in sand.

God Save India

Friday, December 2, 2011

2037 - ARE WE SHEEP? THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT AADHAAR by Venkatesh Bubberjung

ARE WE SHEEP? THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT AADHAAR
by Venkatesh Bubberjung on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 6:13pm

We Indians are but a flock of sheep. We think that whatever govt does, it is in the interest of people. 

In last couple of months I have spent on this AADHAAR issue, I have come across number of legislators who were shocked about the dangers of AADHAAR. It is the most unsecure data as it is being collected by number of unknown private agencies, who are given these contracts on the basis of REQUEST FOR EMPANELMENT, who are also pocketing hundreds of crores of taxpayers money by sub contracting it, without a drop of sweat on their brow. It is our money that is being swindled. Unfortunately we buy all stupid arguments told by officials of AADHAAR. 

In my discussions on Television and meetings, I have been informed that these agencies are collecting money from many citizen for issuing AADHAAR number. The people are told that if they do not possess the number, they would be denied every governmental benefit. All bunch of lies.

1. It is not in the interest of national security as claimed. It is being given to all residents of India not just citizen. Home Minister has clearly stated that it is not a secure a process.

2. it does not provide any safe procedures. How do you expect nearly 450 million Indians who do not know what a number is. Our standards of literacy are that anyone who can write his name is said to be literate. How do you expect them to remember 12 digit number. It is said that people are being advised that they should tattoo their number on their body. GHAJINI STUFF!!!!!! Do you want citizen of this country be treated like this? (remember no one is being given any card) May be every one of us may need print a BAR CODE on our body!!!!!!

3. It is claimed by UIDAI that it would wipe out number of bogus ration cards, bpl cards and other duplicate cards. Remember that all these cards are meant only for citizen of this country. AADHAAR number is being issued all the residents of India, whether you are a Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Nepali, Srilankan or from any other country, You can get an AADHAAR number if you can produce some address proof say some people. At Mysore even these documents were fabricated to HELP PEOPLE TO SECURE AADHAAR number.

4. While it it is claimed that is is optional and voluntary, it discriminates to all those who do not possess it. National Human Rights Commission has voiced their concern against this. Secondly it is now stated that in times to come to have an insurance policy, LPG, bank account one shall mandatorily need to have AADHAAR number. That it is optional and voluntary is absolute falsehood. We being sheep it is easy to fool us. Mr. R.S.Sharma senior official of UIDAI has said that while UIDAI makes securing AADHAAR number optional and voluntary, the service providers may insist on the production of the number!!!!!! How can you say it is optional.

5. The other identities that are in existence like passport, Driving License, Ration Card, BPL Card, NREGA, there are laws Passport Act and others in force. One can seek redressal in case of difficulties and State is accountable. every identity has a law behind it. Not AADHAAR. The draft National Identification Authority of India Bill is pending before Standing Committee on Finance and it is yet to be presented before legislature. It was not presented in the winter session of our Parliament. There is no law to initiate AADHAAR.It is being implemented without there being any statute to support it. How can they compel all of us to get the number. Most unfortunately all of us like blind sheep have taken AADHAAR number being 'advised' by the elders, who do not have any knowledge of the rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India.

6. They are selling our number to any private agency who want to buy information from our data base. Earlier UIDAI had entered into contract only with Public Sector institutions. UIDAI has said that AADHAAR will be also used for business applications. Virtually any one can get information from the data collected. E.g Colgate can seek data how many in Bangalore use Colgate tooth paste or Brush. Which type of colgate paste sells most. how about other brands. who buys this. income groups. specific areas. This is made possible because your AADHAAR number is linked with your bank account, debit card, credit card, et al. where you buy, what you eat what kind movie you go. whether you have a boy friend, who spends, how you spend on your child. what are your or your child's choices, preferences. List goes on. Remember that you have not just filled your demographic and biometric data for AADHAAR form but also have filled Know Your Resident + form, that contains all your details. Remember too that you have given your bank account number, cell number, land line number, email address and a consent to the authority to use the information for purposes of any other services. Your AADHAAR number is integrated with all these details, your KYR+, KYC( Banks are collecting further data under RBI guidance under the garb of Know Your Customer, where you have given details of your possessions, your family, phew) It is easier to integrate all these information with your lovely AADHAAR number. Imagine the possibilities of invasion of your privacy.

7. It is the duty of our Govt to provide services to us. We have formed it. The Govt is not doing us any favour. Remember therefore they cannot treat us like animals to be branded and used.

8. Please remember Mahatma Gandhi questioned similar act known as REGISTRATION ACT of South Africa and Sathyagraha a tool against tyranny, oppression was born, that has liberated so many nations from oppression.

STRANGELY Nilekani's Montek's, Manmohan's and all those babus at Delhi are compelling all of us to be slaves.

Less said the better about who manages these data. Nay, not the government. It would be private sector, Accenture will integrate the info, Wipro, HCL will buy the Biometric machines (remember that only L 1 Identity solutions machines are to be bought. It happens to be an American company whose directors are former defense officials and Director of CIA) List goes on.

Time you circulate this mail and tell people to desist from getting this kind of number. 

AADHAAR number is in violation of all known human rights that are guaranteed in Chapter III of the Constitution of India. Those who have already enrolled for AADHAAR, If they intend to reconsider, let them issue notice to UIDAI Registered Post Acknowledgement Due, giving the details of their submitting the details and demand the same to be returned.

In Hyderabad while census data says in a particular area there are 17000 persons are living, AADHAAR says it has enrolled 25000 residents. Where did additional persons came from within a span of few months? So is the case in some other areas too.

DO YOU WANT SUCH A NUMBER? please circulate this mail to many. It would be great if many of you think what are the possible dangers in addition to what I have said in the above paragraphs. Those interested may arrange for a meeting in any establishment. We will send our representatives who will address the details about this thing called AADHAAR.

We have filed a suit at Bangalore City Civil Court in O.S.No. 8181 of 2011 (CCH 12) Those concerned and interested may join the suit. Those who intend to initiate such legal process may contact us. REACHLAW, 43, 3rd Cross, Link Road, Malleswaram, Bangalore 560003 e-mail : reachlaw@in.com

WE SOLICIT YOUR QUERIES, SUGGESTIONS, COMMENTS, CRITICISMS ON THE ISSUE. PLEASE CONTACT US

REACHLAW