Right to privacy verdict: Who said what

A 9-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, on Thursday ruled that the right to privacy is intrinsic to life and liberty, thus coming under Article 21, and comes under the various fundamental freedoms in PART III of the Indian Constitution. The Court overruled its verdicts in the 1950 MP Sharma case (eight-judge Bench) and the 1961 Kharak Singh case (six-judge bench) that right to privacy is not protected under the Constitution.

Here are some of the reactions to the verdict.

The Congress party tweeted: "Liberty wins in SC's landmark judgement. Modi Govt's attempt to dismantle #RightToPrivacy overruled!"

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi tweeted:"Welcome the SC verdict upholding #RightToPrivacy as an intrinsic part of individual's liberty, freedom & dignity. A victory for every Indian."

Congress MP Shashi Taroor said: "Congratulations to the SC for holding Right to Privacy a fundamental right under Art 21. A free judiciary is a bulwark of our civil liberties."

Congress leader P Chidambaram said: "Privacy is a fundamental right. The freedom that was won in 1947 has been enriched and enlarged. Article 21 has acquired a new magnificence"

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy: Welcome the SC judgment that Right to Privacy is a fundamental Right under Article 21 of the Constitution. Now onto Aadhaar modification.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted: "I have a right to privacy & it's a fundamental one. Yeyy."

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala: Path breaking & seminal judgement of Supreme Court declares 'Privacy' as fundamental right. A great victory for liberty & freedom. S.C rejects Modi Govt's attempt to whittle down the right to privacy as a fundamental right by AG's plea of no mention in Constitution."

AIPWA secretary and CPI(ML) member Kavita Krishnan tweeted: "Supreme Court upholds Right to Privacy as fundamental right - Central Govt position denying this defeated. Cause for celebration as citizens."

Congress leader Salman Khurshid tweeted: "Privacy Fundamental Right has far reaching implications 4 our democracy. Celebrate the defeat of forces that wish to intrude in our lives. Hope cheer leaders remember the govt aggressively opposed Privacy Right before Court. Shall await ministers congratulating the PM for this."

CPM leader SitaramYechury said: "Congratulations to all lawyers, activists, others who fought this govt's sinister designs to deny Indians their fundamental right to privacy."

Rajya Sabha MP and one of the petitioners in the case, Rajeev Chandrashekar said: "Glad; as the world moves towards digitization citizens must have rights against misuse of info."

Actor Kamal Haasan said: "SC upholds the right to privacy Nothing vague or amorphous about it. People thank the Honourable Judges. These are moments that make India."

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