New Delhi, September 26: While appreciating the Supreme Court's decision, the Congress on Wednesday welcomed the Court's decision to strike down Section 57 of the Aadhaar act, which allowed private parties to access Aadhaar data. The Supreme court also declared Aadhaar as constitutionally valid with some modifications. Aadhaar Verdict Highlights: Here are Key Takeaways From Supreme Court Judgment

"We welcome the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Section 57 of the Aadhaar Act. Private entities are no longer allowed to use Aadhaar for verification purposes (sic)," the Congress said on Twitter minutes after the verdict.

Justifying the validity of Aadhaar, the court stated that “Aadhaar empowers the marginalised section of the society and gives them an identity; Aadhaar is also different from other ID proofs as it can't be duplicated". Aadhaar Not Mandatory for School and College Admissions, Boards Like CBSE and Competitive Exams Like NEET

Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi voiced her support for the Supreme Court's decision by saying, "UPA’s vision of Aadhaar to use it as an empowering tool for the marginalised sections upheld by the Honourable Supreme Court today.NDA’s idea of making it an intrusive tool rather than beneficial for the country struck down and how!"

The delinking of Aadhaar from private firms is 'slap on the face of BJP' says Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

"Slap on the face of BJP. Justice Sikri judgement strikes down Section 57 of Aadhaar Act, 2016, which says private body corporates can seek Aadhaar data. Says it’s unconstitutional. All plans to monetise biometric data now fail," he tweeted.

He also welcomed the Supreme Court's move to disallow metadata to be stored in current form.

"If the information of a person’s personal information is sought to be released, he or she shall have an opportunity to be heard. SC rightly appreciated brilliant idea in origin; protected its core; promoted its development and eliminated its flotsam & jetsam. SC brilliantly threw out #bjp #modi accumulated dirty bathwater and saved the baby. Org intent of UPA ie to give identity 2 marginalised ppl now shines (sic)," he said.

The apex court's five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said Aadhaar is meant to help benefits reach marginalised sections of society and takes into account the dignity of people not only from the personal but also from the community point of view.

The top court said Aadhaar serves a bigger public interest. Aadhaar means unique and it is better to be unique than be the best, it said.

(With inputs from PTI)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 26, 2018 12:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).