‘Archaic laws used to restrict free speech’

NEW DELHI: Indian authorities use vaguely worded British-era as well as newer laws to criminalise free speech and stamp out dissent, the Human Rights Watch said

NEW DELHI: Indian authorities use vaguely worded British-era as well as newer laws to criminalise free speech and stamp out dissent, the Human Rights Watch said in a report on Tuesday, calling on the government to do away with such legislation.

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The report, titled “Stifling Dissent: The Criminalization of Peaceful Expression in India”, said old and new laws were being used to restrict activities by NGOs, block internet sites and target “marginalised communities, particularly Dalits, and religious minorities” in the country.

The observations come amid rising instances of dissenting voices being dragged to court or citizens being jailed for expressing their opinion, especially on social media. The report mentioned the high-profile case of Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Kanhaiya Kumar’s arrest on sedition charges.

The report said Indian authorities and political parties used government resources to file cases under archaic laws.

“India’s abusive laws are the hallmark of a repressive society, not a vibrant democracy,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

The organisation said its report was based on an in-depth analysis of various provisions of the IPC (including laws on sedition, criminal defamation, hate speech). The report also referred to Indian laws that criminalise defamation, saying such legislation should be scrapped. But earlier this month, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of such legal provisions, observing that they do not clash with the right to free speech.