Historical order

Seventy-five years after the British left the country, the Supreme Court has given a landmark order freezing Section 124 - A, which remains a black mark on the penal code. The Centre and the states are ordered not to use this controversial law, which empowers governments to arrest and imprison anyone on sedition charges, until it is reconsidered. At present, more than 13,000 people are lodged in jails across the country on sedition charges. Many have been awaiting trial for years. A bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana said that those currently lodged in jails on sedition charges can approach the concerned courts for bail. This is a historic order that will bring joy not only to civil rights activists, organizations and democrats across the country but to all.

The sedition law is one of the most widely used black laws. Section 124-A is still enshrined in the Indian Penal Code as a law that encapsulates civil liberties and free thought. It is the sharpest weapon available to the central and state governments to deal with critics. Attempts were made in the post-independence period not to remove the law introduced by the British a century and a half ago but to sharpen it. The Centre had on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it would reconsider the controversial act. The court then asked can't the cases taken up under this law be frozen until then. The court issued the order after the Centre responded in favor.

Human rights activists fear Section 124-A because it poses a serious threat to civil and human rights. Even the courts have limitations if an arrest is made under this section. The law has such strict rules. With the attainment of independence, this cruel law should have left the nation with the British. Those who experienced the hardships of the law came to power but did not take action. Moreover, those who came to power later added sub-clauses to sharpen the law.

Even in Kerala, there are about 20 cases of sedition. There are cases even for pasting posters. The story behind the Maoist hunt is well known to many.