Privacy a fundamental right: Social media hails landmark SC ruling

SC said that the Right to Privacy is protected under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution

The Supreme Court's nine-judge Bench, in a unanimous judgement on Thursday, upheld the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right.

Overruling the M P Sharma (1962) and Kharak Singh (1954) judgements, the apex court said that the Right to Privacy is protected under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. 

As of this afternoon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not commented on the ruling.

Here's how social media reacted to the landmark judgement

Celebrating the judgement, former finance minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram took to Twitter and wrote that the "freedom that was won in 1947 has been enriched and enlarged". He added, "Privacy is the core of personal liberty. Article 21 has acquired a new magnificence."

Privacy is a fundamental right. The freedom that was won in 1947 has been enriched and enlarged.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) August 24, 2017

Privacy is the core of personal liberty. Article 21 has acquired a new magnificence.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) August 24, 2017

Communist Party of India leader Sitaram Yechury described the judgement as "far-reaching", adding that it would "have consequences in various domains, as technology is playing a greater role in our day-to-day lives". Yechury tweeted: "Congratulations to all lawyers, activists, others who fought this govt's sinister designs to deny Indians their fundamental right to privacy." 

Congratulations to all lawyers, activists, others who fought this govt's sinister designs to deny Indians their fundamental right to privacy https://t.co/mZJeL9Ax9U

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) August 24, 2017

A far-reaching judgement which will have consequences in various domains, as technology is playing a greater role in our day-to-day lives.

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) August 24, 2017

We have been opposed to mandatory Aadhaar, data misuse by foreign tech corporates. This judgement will pave the way for securing our rights

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) August 24, 2017

The Congress' official Twitter handle called it a win for liberty. 

Liberty wins in SC's landmark judgement.
Modi Govt's attempt to dismantle #RightToPrivacy overruled!

— Congress (@INCIndia) August 24, 2017

 

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal called it a "very important" judgement and thanked the apex court.

Thank u SC for this v important judgement

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 24, 2017

 

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

Now who will tell CJI - his order of NIA probe into 24 yr old woman's decision to convert, marry violates #Fundamental #RightToPrivacy ?

— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) August 24, 2017

Reupping - Many fought hard and smart for Privacy. Here are accounts of four - Rhodes scholar to Carnatic singer. https://t.co/9gdMEJerCa

— seema chishti (@seemay) August 24, 2017

Final Score -
Privacy 9:0 Aadhaar#RightToPrivacy

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) August 24, 2017

The lawyers who argued, those who assisted, perhaps most of all Usha Ramanathan, are to be thanked for the #RighToPrivacy https://t.co/uYcqi81XFF

— Karuna Nundy (@karunanundy) August 24, 2017

right to privacy is at the core of who you are and what you do. thank you SC for standing by it! #RightToPrivacy

— Biju Dwarakanath (@biju22778) August 24, 2017

Will be interesting to see how #RightToPrivacy applies - not just to #Aadhar- but to the awful #Sec377 that criminalizes sexual orientation

— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) August 24, 2017

Hope private companies terms and conditions will now on be one simple line, "Your info will not be shared with anyone else". #RightToPrivacy

— Arun Sharma (@ArunBhardvaj) August 24, 2017

Another Great victory for CM Modiji. I reiterate this, please help and support him #DestroyTheAadhaar #RightToPrivacy pic.twitter.com/8Ftx4dXpvM

— #DestroyTheAadhaar (@nitinsachdeva22) August 24, 2017

If you are so concerned about your #RightToPrivacy then first of all delete your twitter and Facebook accounts ! I dare you !!

— Yo Yo Funny Singh (@moronhumor) August 24, 2017

Welcome the SC verdict upholding #RightToPrivacy as an intrinsic part of individual's liberty, freedom & dignity. A victory for every Indian

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 24, 2017

SC decision marks a major blow to fascist forces.A sound rejection of the BJP's ideology of suppression through surveillance#RightToPrivacy

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) August 24, 2017