Sunday, May 28, 2023
English News
  • Hyderabad
  • Telangana
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • India
  • World
  • Entertainment
  • Science and Tech
  • Sport
  • Business
  • ...
    • NRI
    • View Point
    • cartoon
    • Columns
    • Reviews
    • Education Today
    • Property
    • Videos
    • Lifestyle
    • Rewind
E-Paper
  • NRI
  • View Point
  • cartoon
  • Columns
  • Reviews
  • Education Today
  • Property
  • Videos
  • Lifestyle
  • Rewind
Home | Editorials | Editorial Sedition Law Must Go

Editorial: Sedition law must go

It is time a national consensus was built in favour of scrapping the sedition law as it is anathema to democracy

By Telangana Today
Published Date - 12:00 AM, Sat - 5 June 21
Editorial: Sedition law must go
It is time a national consensus was built in favour of scrapping the sedition law as it is anathema to democracy
whatsapp facebook twitter telegram

It is incongruous for a liberal and free democratic country to have a sedition law that fights its own citizens. In fact, criticism of the government of the day is an essence of democracy and should not be viewed as anti-national activity. The Supreme Court’s order quashing the sedition case against senior journalist Vinod Dua is a welcome development and should set the record straight on the futility of invoking a draconian British era law. The FIR was filed by a local BJP leader in Shimla over his YouTube show that is critical of the NDA government on multiple issues. Every citizen is entitled to his or her opinions and criticise the governments so long as there is no incitement to violence. As India approaches the 75th Independence Day, it is appropriate that the apex court rejected in no uncertain terms the tendency to equate sedition with the democratic right of citizens to express dissent without being labelled enemies of the State. It is time a national consensus was built in favour of scrapping the sedition law as it is anathema to democracy. In a disturbing trend over the last few years, several governments, including the ones ruled by non-BJP parties, have routinely invoked Section 124-A that penalises sedition. A number of anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protesters too are facing sedition charges. The National Crime Records Bureau data shows that between 2016 and 2019, there has been a 160% increase in the filing of sedition charges with a conviction rate of just 3.3% while only two persons could be convicted out of 93 people charged in 2019.

The misuse of sedition law has destroyed many lives. Formulated during the British rule to suppress the freedom struggle, it is now being widely misused against dissenters. It is a welcome development that the SC has decided to examine the archaic Section 124A of the IPC in the context of media freedom. Way back in 1962, the apex court had ruled that “citizen has a right to say or write whatever he likes about the Government, or its measures, by way of criticism or comment, so long as he does not incite people to violence against the Government…” Many countries, including the UK and Australia, have abolished the sedition law. It’s time for India to follow suit. There is already a robust legal architecture in place to deal with those trying to incite violence or threaten the integrity of the nation. In 2018, the Law Commission had recommended that sedition law should not be used to curb free speech. Creating a climate for free expression of thoughts and ideas without fear of criminal prosecution is essential for the growth of any civilisation. It is all the more important for democracies to survive.


Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe.

Click to follow Telangana Today Facebook page and Twitter .


 

  • Follow Us :
  • Tags
  • Australia
  • BJP
  • Citizenship (Amendment) Act
  • Free Speech

Related News

  • Telangana: Yellareddy to get 100-bed hospital

    Telangana: Yellareddy to get 100-bed hospital

  • Telangana: Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy disillusioned with functioning of BJP

    Telangana: Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy disillusioned with functioning of BJP

  • BRS dares BJP to release white paper on latter’s contribution for Telangana’s development

    BRS dares BJP to release white paper on latter’s contribution for Telangana’s development

  • VAA elected new members into panel

    VAA elected new members into panel

  • Study shows kids might consider past choices when judging others

    Study shows kids might consider past choices when judging others

  • Opposition sees caste census as ‘Brahmastra’ to counter BJP

    Opposition sees caste census as ‘Brahmastra’ to counter BJP

Latest News

  • Wrestlers protest: Over 700 detained, FIR registered against organisers

    4 hours ago
  • CBI lodges FIR against Bollywood producer Bunty Walia in loan fraud case

    4 hours ago
  • Turkiye’s Erdogan wins 5th term as president, extending rule into 3rd decade

    5 hours ago
  • Opinion: Economy up, jobs down

    5 hours ago
  • Editorial: Prison reforms overdue

    5 hours ago
  • Sengol has ‘bent’ the very first day: TN CM MK Stalin

    5 hours ago
  • GHMC’s DRF team completes training in rescue operations

    5 hours ago
  • US, Saudi Arabia call for warring sides in Sudan to extend ‘imperfect’ cease-fire

    5 hours ago

company

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

business

  • Subscribe

telangana today

  • Telangana
  • Hyderabad
  • Latest News
  • Entertainment
  • World
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Science & Tech
  • Sport

follow us

© Copyrights 2022 TELANGANA PUBLICATIONS PVT. LTD. All rights reserved. Powered by Veegam