KYC Verdict: Digital Access ka Fundamental Right
        
Yeh hai kahani ek historic Supreme Court verdict ki, jo 30 April 2025 ko aaya aur disabled individuals—especially acid attack survivors aur visually impaired—ke liye digital KYC ko accessible banane ka order diya. Pragya Prasun, ek acid attack survivor, aur Amar Jain, jo 100% blind hai, ne yeh ladai ladi, proving ki chhoti si awaaz bhi system ko hila sakti hai. Is verdict ne Article 21 (right to life) ke under digital access ko fundamental right declare kiya. Chalo, is inspiring journey ko timeline ke sath explore karte hai!

        
Timeline aur Story

        

            
July 2023: The Struggle Begins
            
Pragya Prasun, ek acid attack survivor, ICICI Bank mein account kholne gayi, par e-KYC process ne unhe rok diya. RBI ke rules ke according, “live photograph” ke liye blinking chahiye, jo Pragya facial injuries ke wajah se nahi kar sakti thi.
            
Similarly, Amar Jain, jo visually impaired hai, online KYC ke challenges face karta tha—selfie lena, OTPs ka short duration, aur digital signatures uske liye impossible the.
            
Fun Fact: Pragya ne SIM card lene ke liye apne husband ke naam ka use kiya, kyunki KYC process unhe block kar raha tha!
        

        

            
2023: #IWontBlink Campaign
            
Pragya ne social media pe #IWontBlink campaign launch kiya, highlighting kaise e-KYC disabled individuals ko exclude karta hai. Is campaign ne public aur media ka dhyan khincha, aur bank ne Pragya ke case mein exception banaya.
            
Par Pragya nahi ruki—unhone Supreme Court mein PIL daal di, demanding inclusive KYC guidelines for acid attack survivors aur visually impaired logon ke liye.
            
"Main nahi jhukungi, aur na hi blink karungi!" – Pragya’s campaign slogan
            
Fun Fact: Pragya ki petition ko advocates Nimisha Menon aur Nitin Saluja ne shape diya!
        

        

            
January 2024 - January 2025: The Legal Battle
            
Pragya ki PIL (Pragya Prasun vs Union of India) aur Amar ki PIL (Amar Jain vs Union of India) Supreme Court mein club ho gayi. Dono ne argue kiya ki e-KYC ka “blinking” requirement Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 aur Constitution ke Articles 14, 15, 21, aur 38 ko violate karta hai.
            
RBI aur Centre se jawab maanga gaya. Court ne 28 January 2025 ko judgment reserve kiya, aur case ke implications ne national attention grab ki.
            
Fun Fact: Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra ne Pragya ke case mein powerful arguments present kiye!
        

        

            
30 April 2025: The Landmark Verdict
            
Justices J.B. Pardiwala aur R. Mahadevan ki bench ne historic ruling diya:
            

                
Digital Access: Article 21 ke under digital access ko fundamental right declare kiya, kyunki banking, governance, aur welfare schemes digital platforms pe depend karte hai.
                
Inclusive KYC: RBI ko guidelines revise karne ka order diya, jisme “liveness” check ke liye blinking ke alawa alternative methods (jaise voice-enabled verification) hone chahiye.
                
20 Directions: Government websites, fintech platforms, aur e-governance services ko universally accessible banane ke liye 20 specific directives jaari kiye, including Braille formats, audio descriptions, aur sign language options.
                
Paper-Based KYC: Offline KYC options ko continue karne ka order, taaki disabled individuals digital barriers face na kare.
            
            
Impact: Yeh verdict ne disabled individuals ke liye banking aur government services ke darwaze khol diye, aur digital divide ko bridge karne ka rasta dikhaya.
            
"Bridging the digital divide is a constitutional imperative!" – Justice R. Mahadevan
            
Fun Fact: Court ne kaha ki apps aur websites ke testing mein disabled individuals ko include karna mandatory hai!
        

        

            
May 2025 Onwards: The Aftermath
            
Verdict ke baad, RBI aur government ne inclusive KYC guidelines pe kaam shuru kiya. Banks aur telecom companies ko accessibility audits aur alternative verification methods implement karne ka order mila.
            
Public Reaction: Social media pe #DigitalInclusion trend kiya, aur activists ne isko “Digital India” ka true vision kaha.
            
Global Impact: Yeh ruling international discussions on digital accessibility ko inspire kar rahi hai, especially developing countries mein.
            
Fun Fact: Verdict ke baad, Pragya ne kaha, “Yeh meri nahi, har disabled person ki jeet hai!”
        

        

            
Legacy aur Significance
            
KYC Verdict ne dikhaya ki technology sabke liye honi chahiye, na ki sirf privileged ke liye. Pragya Prasun aur Amar Jain ki ladai ne disabled individuals ke dignity aur autonomy ko constitutional protection diya.
            
Connection to Digital India: Yeh verdict Digital India ke vision ko inclusive banata hai, ensuring ki rural populations, senior citizens, aur economically weaker sections bhi digital services access kar sake.
            
Cultural Impact: #IWontBlink campaign aur is verdict ne accessibility advocacy ko nayi urja di, aur future policies ke liye ek strong precedent set kiya.