Apex court verdict on Aadhaar

The Supreme Court has given partial relief from Aadhaar. Justice Chandrachud rightly raised serious issues about Aadhaar having the potential to turn India into a surveillance state. Aadhaar fails all the tests of a democratic apparatus, including the basic right to personal space. Mahatma Gandhi once said: “I look upon an increase of the power of the state with the greatest fear, because, although while apparently doing good by minimising exploitation, it does the greatest harm to mankind by destroying individuality, which lies at the root of all progress.” As newspaper reports show, Aadhaar is quite often misused. An example is the PDS scheme, where frauds have taken place in States like UP. The Supreme Court has rightly held that banks and private companies cannot demand Aadhaar. But what about those who have been forced to give their Aadhaar details. All such entities/companies must delete all Aadhaar data/details within three months and give an advertisement in the press to this effect in public interest.

New Delhi

This refers to ‘IL&FS crisis could have been avoided’ (September 27). Last week’s panic in the stock market due to IL&FS, which defaulted in its payment, has brought a few critical issues to the forefront again: One, LIC chairman’s statement that IL&FS will not be allowed to fail come what may; and, two, the belief that IL&FS’ forthcoming rights issue, if it gets the green nod by the investors, can right the situation and bring relief to investors, shareholders and the public.

But one should not miss the larger picture here. First, LIC recently bailed out IDBI Bank, and now plans to rescue IL&FS too. How long will be public money be used to save such institutions. IL&FS’ top management cannot shy away from responsibility and accountability. Second, as private sector banks are now more focussed on growing their retail book and public sector banks are wary of lending to the infrastructure sector, there are only limited options for infrastructure funding. The government must, therefore, address all issues that are hindering infra financing.

Noida

This refers to the editorial ‘Mending fences’ (September 26). But for a brief bhai-bhai decade, India-China relations are now predicated on mutual threat perceptions. And they differ substantially, with China being far more confident of its military superiority. A unique arm’s length relationship has set in, but the globalised economic regime has the potential to draw us closer. We have been able to identify and co-operate on wider global concerns and been instrumental in shaping resistance from emerging market and developing economies for pursuing alternative agendas in trade and climate talks, though essentially driven by domestic concerns. So far we have managed to skirt contentious issues and contain misunderstandings.

As we continue to address our security interests with established powers like the US, we continue to invest and/or trade with China. But our current trade deficit with China also gives rise to fears that it might widen further. While BRICS grouping has benefited Sino-Indian relations, the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership may not — it’s a mixed bag. India is viewed by China in two parts — in the Asian context China seeks hegemony; and in the pan-Asian one, a comrade-in-arms against the West. Our mutual aim over time must be to merge both these perceptions.

Navi Mumbai

The five-Bench Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling striking down the archaic adultery law as unconstitutional on the ground of ‘manifest arbitrariness’ deserves an unqualified welcome. It is in tune with the times. We can now rejoice that adultery has ceased to be a crime and a woman has ceased to be a ‘chattel’. The decriminalisation of adultery is worthy of a liberal society. Sexual bliss away from the marital bed can be perceived or regarded as immoral. But it cannot be held to be illegal.

Maruthancode, Kanyakumari