Awaken India Movement against health interventions in schools, opposes compulsory Aadhaar

Shillong, May 6: Banshailang Marbaniang,  Chairman, Awaken India Movement, Meghalaya State Unit, wanted the state government to be aware of freedom of individuals to respond to medical interventions in schools and other welfare initiatives.

In a statement issued here, Banshailang said the organisation had sent a letter to the office of the Directorate of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) to bring to its attention that schools are only for education, not for medical interventions.

“Also, we have enclosed the judgement order of the Supreme Court, and it has been mentioned that AADHAAR is not mandatory for school admissions or anything else. All contrary judgements passed by any courts in India and orders or directions given by any officials or authorities stand overruled, whether they were before the Supreme Court or not. As per Article 141 of the Constitution of India, this judgement of the Supreme Court is binding on all authorities, courts, private bodies, etc. Other judgements are impliedly overruled”, he said.

According to Banshailang, health care is a parent’s prerogative, as is the choice of health or any other practices. ‘It cannot be either
schools or government offices. Advisories can be made, but coercion and mandates are violations. “This is all under the violation of the constitutional rights of the Indian Constitution, especially while viewing minrity status for indigenous tribes. We ask that the State Government of Meghalaya, through the
Education Department, stop the use of schools to collect children’s health and personal data, administer vaccines, and give drugs or medication, and more, as this will be a risk and a misuse”.

Banshailang said all mandates issued by all government and private bodies that discriminate between medical
interventions in schools and restrict any benefits of Aadhaar services to people are proved to be illegal, unconstitutional, arbitrary, and a violation of the Fundamental Rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of
the Constitution of India.

“AADHAAR is an identity used for the personal life of a person in India, and it is the choice of the people in India whether to use it or not. It cannot be forced on the citizens to take it
because it is not mandatory, especially in the State of Meghalaya. On March 27, the Supreme Court said that the government cannot make the AADHAAR card mandatory for welfare schemes offered by it”, he claimed.