Do you think that Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code has passed its time?
Do you think that Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code has passed its time?
Sedition, which falls under Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code, is defined as any action that brings or attempts to bring hatred or contempt towards the government of India
That section of IPC was primarily meant to suppress the dissenting voices (rational or irrational) against the British colonial government. But sadly, this law persists in India to this day.
Though the sedition law is actually meant to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity, in reality it has been used by the governments to threaten the voices of dissent even if it is reasonable.
No democratic country in this world does have this sort of draconian law to save its territorial integrity and national security. The repeated cases of misuse of this act has indeed rings up the alarm bells for safeguarding the people’s freedom of free speech and expression which forms the bedrock of our vibrant democracy.
The NCRB data also gives us an inference regarding the futility of this law in many cases.
Earlier, via the Kedarnath case (1972), the Supreme court upheld the Sedition law, though with caution tagged to it. However, repeated misuse of the law, particularly in recent times has convinced the Supreme court regarding the continuation of this controversial law. (which is blatant from its recent observation on the sedition law)
Though any sitting government bats for the continuation of this law, in reality the very law creates an atmosphere of fear and anxiety among the rational and outspoken critics. Hence it leads to choking of meaningful dissent.
Our legal system is replete with many laws like Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, National Security Laws and the like. Those acts could be used to quell the real menace posed by the anti-nationals. Also the intelligence and police systems should be upgraded to monitor the subversive activities inimical to our national security.
Hence it can be said that the Section 124-A of IPC has passed its time.
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