Don’t Just Reform – Remove

Even a changed sedition law will be misused. SC’s review must end in scrapping Section 124A

There’s never been a better moment than now for consigning to history a law that goes back to the 19th century and that free India should have never had on its statutes for so long. GoI has agreed that sedition law provisions need re-examination, and the Supreme Court has strongly restrained all authorities from filing cases under IPC Section 124A till the review is complete. The court has also rightly asked that bail be expedited for those already charged under these provisions. We should also note that Narendra Modi has added the considerable weight of his personality and office to these efforts. But all of this will amount to little if the review ends in merely “reforming” the law – sedition provisions must go.