Recently the government has informed that there is no proposal under consideration to repeal Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to deal with sedition law.
Earlier, the Supreme Court in its order had said that the scope and parameters of the provisions of section 124A need to be explained.
There is a special need to explain especially in the context of electronic and print media to communicate news, information and rights.
Sedition law in India:
- Sedition.—Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards,the Government established by law in [India].
- It should be noted that this is a ‘non-bailable offence’. Arguments Against Sedition Law in India – Countries like Britain, South Korea and Indonesia have also abolished this law.
- Phrases like preeti are ambiguous and can be interpreted in different ways.
- According to the decision of Kedarnath case (1962), the sedition law should be applied only in rare situations. However, incidents of misuse, abuse and misuse of the law are frequent.
Significance of Sedition Law:
- Useful in countering anti-national, separatist and terrorist elements. It protects it from violence and attempts to overthrow the elected government by illegal means.
- This law is not in conformity with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It protects freedom of expression as a right of all persons. India is a signatory to this covenant.
Source – The Hindu
