Sedition Law Put on Hold: SC Delivers Landmark Interim Order in Free Speech Case
- ByAdmin --
- 11 Apr 2025 --
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In a massive moment for Indian democracy, the Supreme Court in 2025 paused the use of Section 124A IPC (sedition law), citing its colonial roots and vague language.
The Court said: “Sedition cannot be used to silence criticism. Until the law is reviewed, let it rest.”
What Is Sedition?
Section 124A criminalizes speech that brings “hatred or contempt” against the government.
It’s a British-era law, used originally to arrest freedom fighters like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi.
In recent years, it’s been used against:
- Journalists
- Students
- Political activists
- Social media users
Court’s Interim Order (2025)
- No new FIRs to be registered under Section 124A
- Ongoing cases to be put on hold
- Centre asked to revisit the law in Parliament
“Democracy is not afraid of dissent,” the bench observed.
Implications
- Huge relief for thousands of activists and protestors
- Creates space for legal reforms around speech offences
- Encourages courts to weigh rights over state sensitivity
Free speech doesn’t come from permission. It comes from the Constitution—and now, the courts are echoing that truth.
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