A Agartala scheme forced me to link Aadhaar to my mobile number. Is this constitutional after the Supreme Court ruling?

Detailed Legal Analysis

The requirement to link Aadhaar to your mobile number under a scheme in Agartala is likely unconstitutional following the Supreme Court ruling in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd) vs. Union of India (2018), which declared that the Aadhaar Act was valid but with certain restrictions on its usage.

In the landmark judgment, the Supreme Court held that:

• Aadhaar should not be mandatory for services beyond welfare benefits provided by the state.
• The right to privacy is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
• Linking Aadhaar to mobile numbers is not justified as it violates the right to privacy and could lead to surveillance without sufficient legal safeguards.

Following this ruling, the Supreme Court laid down specific guidelines regarding the use of Aadhaar, which are pertinent to your concern:

• The Aadhaar number cannot be required for the purposes of mobile phone verification.
• Individuals have the right to choose whether to provide their Aadhaar number for non-welfare services.
• Any mandatory requirement to link Aadhaar to mobile numbers may be considered unconstitutional under the framework of the right to privacy.

Additionally, Section 4 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016 allows for the use of Aadhaar authentication but primarily for the purpose of availing subsidies, benefits, or services. The Act emphasizes voluntary consent, and any compulsion violates the essence of the Supreme Court's ruling.

If you are facing coercion to link your Aadhaar to your mobile number, you can take the following steps:

• Document any instances of coercion or pressure to link Aadhaar.
• Contact customer support of your mobile service provider to express your concerns.
• Consider filing a complaint with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) if you believe your rights are being infringed.
• Consult with a legal expert specializing in constitutional law for further guidance and possible legal action.

In summary, any scheme that forces you to link your Aadhaar to your mobile number may not stand constitutional scrutiny based on the Supreme Court's interpretation of the right to privacy and the provisions of the Aadhaar Act.