Is the Sedition law of the British, used against Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi, essential now ? : Supreme Court

Presently, anti-national forces are on the rise. In the name of freedom of expression, many anti-national statements are being made. However, it is being misused also. The public expects the Government to make it more effective by deleting the shortcomings in the said law.

What is the sedition law ?

Definition of this sedition law has been given in section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code. According to this law, if any individual writing or saying anything against the Government or anyone supports such writing, then the concerned would be given life imprisonment or 3 years punishment.

New Delhi – ‘Sedition Law is the British law. British had used it to suppress our independence (of expression). It was used against Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi. Do we need this Sedition Law even after 75 years now ?’ asked the Supreme Court during the hearing of a petition. This petition has been filed by Retd. Major General SG Vombatkere. In that, he has challenged section 124-A applicable to anti-national activities.

In this petition Vombatkere has said, ‘this law obstructs the freedom of expression of people. Freedom of expression is the fundamental right of people. As this law is completely against the Constitution, it should be revoked.

Points suggested by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, NV Ramana

1. The Government is revoking so many laws, why is it not considering Sedition law ?
2. This section is like giving an axe in the hands of a carpenter to cut wood and he cuts the whole forest instead.
3. Police get so much power due to this Section 124-A that they can accuse even gamblers too with sedition.
4. If the Government or any political party does not wish to hear anybody, then they can use this law against them.

Supreme Court questions the Centre over the utility of sedition law after 75 years of independence.#sedition #seditionlaw https://t.co/lMMeD7ibNd

— Zee News English (@ZeeNewsEnglish) July 15, 2021

No need to cancel the section – Central Government

Attorney General KK Venugopal told the Court that there was no need to revoke the whole law, but there was a need to lay down some directives. It will fulfil the purpose of the law.

11 thousand individuals were charged with sedition in the last 10 years

‘Article – 14.com’ researches in the field of law and order in the Nation

In the report of February 2021 of Article.com, it is said, ‘in the last 10 years, 2010 to 2020, 11,816 people in the country were charged with crimes related to sedition. 65% of these crimes are registered in 2014.