Use of sedition law fuels debate in India

Critics say govt targeting journalists, activists; others say it curbs abuse of free speech

Demonstrators in New Delhi in March 2016 demanding the release of a Jawaharlal Nehru University student union leader accused of sedition. A total of 179 people were arrested on sedition charges between 2014 and 2016.
Demonstrators in New Delhi in March 2016 demanding the release of a Jawaharlal Nehru University student union leader accused of sedition. A total of 179 people were arrested on sedition charges between 2014 and 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

A fresh debate has broken out in India over whether a colonial-era sedition law is being misused and needs to be scrapped amid a police move to file sedition charges against university students and political activists.

The Delhi police are seeking to file sedition charges against 10 students and former student activists for allegedly taking part in a procession and supporting seditious slogans in February last year.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on February 03, 2019, with the headline Use of sedition law fuels debate in India. Subscribe