Do you think that the process involved in the compulsory vaccination violate anyone’s fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution? Comment (200 Words)
Refer - The Hindu
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
Abdul hakkim 3 years
Please review
IAS Parliament 3 years
Try to include the title of the case, underline only the key points. Keep Writing.
IAS Parliament 3 years
KEY POINTS
· In Registrar General v. State of Meghalaya, the Meghalaya High Court ruled that the State government’s order requiring shopkeepers, local taxi drivers and others to get the COVID-19 vaccines before they resume economic activities is violative of the right to privacy, life, personal liberty, and livelihood.
· It relied on the Central government’s frequently asked questions, which specify that COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary.
· The Vaccination Act, 1880, allowed the government to mandate smallpox vaccination among children in select areas.
· Similarly, several State laws, which set up municipal corporations and councils, empower local authorities to enforce compulsory vaccination schemes.
· The main bone of contention is that compulsory vaccination violates bodily integrity and takes away decisional autonomy from people, thereby violating their right to life and privacy.
· State governments have the authority to mandate vaccines under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, which allows them to prescribe regulations to prevent the spread of an epidemic disease.
· The restriction must have a legitimate aim. Compulsory vaccination pursues the legitimate aim of protecting the public from COVID-19.
· The government could provide appropriate accommodation for persons based on genuine medical reasons.
