Justice (Retd) K S Puttaswamy honoured

Foundation of Data Protection Professionals in India (FDPPI), a primer organization on Data Privacy in India and Manipal Law School (MLS) of the prestigious Manipal Academy of Higher Education today conferred the title of “Privacy Pitamaha” on Justice (Retd) K S Puttaswamy.

The 98-year crusader is known for initiating a petition on Privacy which has resulted in the country passing a long-awaited law on Data Protection namely the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 on August 11 this year.

Privacy is a respected fundamental right under the Indian Constitution and the demand for a law to protect Privacy was pending for a long time. In 2015, Justice Puttaswamy initiated a petition on the possible Privacy infringement in the Aadhaar usage at the Supreme Court. During the discussions, the 5-member bench felt the necessity for a larger bench and a Nine-member bench was set up to decide on the issue of whether Privacy is a Fundamental Right in India. On 24^th August 2017 a judgement which is colloquially referred to as “Puttaswamy Judgement” held that Privacy is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Following this and three iterations of law in the form of Personal Data Protection Bill (PDPB) in 2018, 2019 and 2021, the Digital Data Protection Act 2023 (DPDPA 2023) was finally gazetted on 11^th August 2023.

This brought India on the world Privacy map in the year of G20 presidentship and enhanced the prestige of the country in the international arena.

Recognizing the efforts of Justice Puttaswamy who initiated the petition when he was past 90 years of age, FDPPI and MLS have thought it fit to recognize his services to the Privacy Community with the award of the title “Privacy Pitamaha”.

Sri Puttaswamy in view of his age, received the award at his residence from Dr Avinash

Dadhich, Dean of MLS. Mr Na. Vijayashankar, Chairman of FDPPI addressed the Press Conference explaining the context in which FDPPI initiated this award. Sri Puttaswamy was virtually present in the Press Conference and briefly interacted with the audience.