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Contents
Source: The post is based on the article “Lahore Lesson – If Pak HC can scrap sedition law, surely SC can do it” published in The Times of India on 1st April 2023.
Syllabus: GS – 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Relevance: About removing sedition in India.
News: Recently, Lahore High Court has scrapped Pakistan’s sedition law, calling it inconsistent with the country’s constitution. The progressive move should inspire removing sedition in India also.
What is Sedition Law?
| Must read: Sedition Law in India (Section 124A IPC) – Explained, pointwise |
About the history of Section 124-A
| Read here: Sedition needs a clear definition for it to be retained in law books |
About sedition laws in India and Pakistan
The sedition law is a legacy of the colonial penal code for the subcontinent. For example, in the India Penal Code 1860 Section 124A, the section on sedition, was added as an amendment in 1870.
From the start, Section 124A was used against anti-colonial voices against whom no other charges could be slapped.
Post Independence, ruling parties in India, and Pakistan have used Sedition to intimidate and silence critics including the opposition, journalists, human rights activists, and even student protesters.
What are the key judgments under the Sedition Law after Independence?
| Must read: Judgements under the Sedition Law |
What should be done?
In 2022, the Indian Supreme Court granted the Centre additional time to review the sedition law, telling the Centre to not register fresh FIRs under Section 124A.
Indian government can also consider removing the sedition law in India. As it is often used to punish wrong people for wrong reasons.
