As long as people are not incited for violence, every citizen has right to criticise the Govt – Supreme Court

New Delhi – The Supreme Court stated, ’Every citizen has a right to criticise the decisions made by the Government and its functionaries so long as he does not incite people to violence against the Government’. The Court said this while quashing the sedition case against journalist Vinod Dua. Last year, BJP leader Shyam had registered a FIR at Shimla under provisions of Indian Penal Code for offences of sedition.

The Court stated, ’the statements made by Dua can at best be termed as expression of condemnation of actions of the Government and its functionaries so that prevailing situation could be addressed quickly and effectively. They were certainly not made with the intent to incite people or showed tendency to create disorder or disturbance of public peace by resorting to violence’.