By Tandrima Ghosh, May 12
Supreme Court has given a big push to the Modi Government over the ‘sedition’ law . The apex court today ruled that no FIR or lawsuit could be filed under the sedition law. Both the Central and the states must abide by this directive. The apex court also said that those who have been sued under the Act will be able to apply for bail. Earlier on Monday, the court had asked the Central to reconsider the law. After that, strict instructions were issued for the hearing on Wednesday.
No FIR can be registered under sedition law. States must comply with this Supreme Court order. This was stated by the bench of the Chief Justice. Earlier, the apex court yesterday stayed the proceedings under the Act. The bench of justices said that the bail application of those against whom action has been taken in this case should be heard expeditiously and all the courts should ensure that they get bail as soon as possible.
The Central has been hit hard by the Supreme Court order. Because a few days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that they do not want to reconsider this law. The Modi government did not show much interest. It is pertinent to note that in the last few years, since the abolition of Section 370 in the Modi era, NRC-NPR or CAA protests have been filed in several cases against the protesters under Section 124, i.e. sedition case. And many of the protesters are now in jail. The plaintiffs alleged that the Modi government was abusing the law. Suddenly, the Central has been hit hard by this order of the Supreme Court.
Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress said in an election manifesto that the British-era sedition law would be repealed if it came to power. Narendra Modi had slammed the Congress over the election campaign. He said, “This time the Congress is openly saying that even if an urban Naxalite commits an act against the country, it will not file a sedition case against him.”
Today, the Congress reminded him that the question was, who wanted to keep the black law to harass the critics of the government? Who called the state religion treason to criticize the government? Congress leader Rahul Gandhi remarked, “To tell the truth is patriotism, not treason.” Listening to the truth is monarchy.”
According to the Union Home Ministry, 357 cases have been filed under the Sedition Act or Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code in the six years of the Modi government from 2015 to 2020. 548 people have been arrested. But only 12 people have been convicted. Former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said, “The sedition law was being enforced very lightly. In many cases, I have seen the accused convicted of treason. “
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