The Great Repression

Many of us aren’t aware of how Section 124A(Sedition law) came into existence. “Sedition law” has been used very frequently by the Indian government without really knowing the sole purpose, which ultimately makes it fall into the category of weapon misuse. The authority to validate section 124A in a case has now been completely left on the courts to decide.

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This book discusses the origin of Section 124A with formulation and commencement of IPC in 1860 and the effects on the Constitution, pre and post Independence. The British used Sedition law as a matter to suppress the revolutionaries who were fighting for an independent India. Despite the numerous sedition charges, the revolutionaries never gave up. This led to further amendments on the law for the then government to take control of the people. The book delves into various cases of sedition and gives us a thorough knowledge on its history.

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Post Independence, in 1948, the opposition raised the “right to free speech” in a free India, which brings article 19(A) into existence in the Constitution.  With time, the leaders started questioning the existence of 19(A) and 124A to be contradictory and raised opinions for removal of either of them. However, a buzz around this discussion made the law makers to create further amendments which still remain unclear and the charges continue to apply in an inappropriate way. Dropping sedition as a restriction on free speech, it is known that 124A should have ideally been void which still remains as “not”.

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 With excellent research, the book fulfills its promise to the readers in delivering every possible case that has been registered by the British and Indian governments. The amendment to free speech with “reasonable restrictions” now remains suppressed for the Indian citizens. The greatest repression of all times! India, today, stands at 140 out of 180 in the world free speech index. The book shows us a realistic view of the recent rise in 124A charges and diminishing of 19(A) in the constitution. Are we still to call ourselves as a ‘Democratic country?’.

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