Kolkata, March 24 (IANS) Victims and legal experts on Tuesday hailed the Supreme Court's verdict striking down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and termed it a victory for the common man's free speech.
Jadavpur University professor Ambikesh Mahapatra who was arrested under the section in 2012 for circulating emails mocking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, said the verdict will help in removing the fear psychosis that had gradually developed over the "draconian" law.
"This is a victory of the common man's freedom of speech. This verdict will surely remove the fear psychosis that has been developing among a large section of internet users that they may get arrested for even innocuous of acts," Mahapatra told IANS.
The chemistry professor, however, expressed his reservation over the judgement having an effect on preserving freedom of speech in the state.
"It surely is a welcome judgement and has come as a relief to many like me who have been subject to regular harassment due to the legal procedures, but I don't think, this will have any role in protecting freedom of speech in Bengal," said Mahapatra a fierce critic of the Banerjee led Trinamool Congress government.
Apex court bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman on Tuesday said: "Section 66A of the IT Act is struck down in its entirety."
The judgement came in a petition that was moved one Shreya Singhal in 2012 and was later joined by NGOs Common Cause, People Union for Civil Liberty (PUCL) Aand individuals including self-exiled Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen
Cartoonist and free speech activist Aseem Trivedi who too was booked under the law in 2012, called the judgement a landmark for the social media.
"This is a landmark judgement against a very evil law that has been widely misused by political parties and the administration to curb freedom of speech," Trivedi told IANS.
The cartoonist was arrested in 2012 allegedly poking fun at the Constitution and the national emblem by drawing cartoons which were circulated at Anna Hazare's anti-corruption rally in Mumbai in 2011.
"Social networks are now an important part of the society and play a very vital role bringing forth the evils that besiege it. This judgement will ensure that social media continues to play an important role in shaping up the society," said Trivedi.
"There have been countless people who have fallen victim to this draconian law, perhaps this is a victory for all those," added Trivedi who was recently absolved of sedition charges by a Mumbai court.
Former Supreme Court judge A.K. Ganguly said the law was violative of India's democratic principles and the court's decision will play a big part in preserving freedom of speech.
"It's a bold judgement and I wholeheartedly welcome it. The section was not only vague but provided for individual discrimination and was against the democratic principle which is essence of our constitution," Ganguly told IANS.
"This judgement will go to play a large role in restoring freedom of speech which has often been curbed by powers that be by using this section which was against the constitutional rights and freedoms enshrined in articles 14, 19 and 21," said Ganguly who has formed Save Democracy Forum - an apolitical platform that has been vocal against the "deterioration of democracy in the state".
Kavita Srivastava of PUCL told IANS: "It's a major achievement for crusaders of freedom of speech and confirms our belief that in democracy you cannot continue to crush the voice of dissent. With this judgement more and more people, now will fearlessly use the social media to highlight the tyrannical ways of our politicians especially those now in power."
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan: This video of 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' released before the trailer, created a stir on social media
Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff's film 'Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan' is going to be released in just a few days. With the end of Ramadan, this film will hit the theaters on Eid. The songs and teaser of the
Russia-Ukraine War Updates: After two weeks of peace, firing again in Kharkiv, 8 killed and 17 injured
The war between Russia-Ukraine continues, no final result of the 93-day-long battle is visible yet. Meanwhile, Russian troops intensified attacks to capture the eastern Donbas. 40 cities were attacked
New guidelines on the treatment of corona: Doctors should avoid giving steroids to the patient, due to this there is a risk of black fungus; Get tested for TB in case of excessive cough
The central government has made some changes in its guidelines related to the treatment of corona. In the new guidelines, doctors have been advised to avoid giving steroids to the patient. This
Delhi Mask Fine: Rs 500 fine for not wearing a mask in Delhi, a challan will not be deducted in a private car, an order issued
If you are traveling alone in a vehicle in the national capital, then wearing a mask is not necessary. Now the challan will not be deducted for not wearing a mask in the car. However, wearing masks in
Alarm bells: Research made the world sleepy, AI made 40 thousand chemical weapons in six hours
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used for a long time in search engines, social media platforms, and gadgets. It is used extensively for facial recognition and in research, but this time AI has
Democracy strengthened in Kashmir in the last 3 years, local leaders told the European MPs the ground situation
The strong steps taken by the Modi government in Jammu and Kashmir have started showing their effect. From stone pelting to terrorism, there has been a decrease in the last few years. Kashmiri
Will not get relief from winter now: Mercury will fall by 3 degrees in Delhi, Rajasthan, and MP, the cold wave will prevail; Chances of rain in more than 10 states
It has been cold in North India for the past few days. The Meteorological Department has issued a warning saying that the cold wave may return in the northwest plains and parts of North India by the
BSEB 12th Result 2023: Check the result of the Bihar Board Intermediate Exam like this, this is the easy process
Bihar Board 12th Result Out Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) is going to release the result of class 12th of Bihar Board today at 2 pm. More than 13 lakh registered students were eagerly waiting
SC quashes extension of OBC reservation to Jats
New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Tuesday quashed the March 4, 2014 notification by the UPA government extending OBC reservation to Jats in nine states, ignoring the recommendation
The police rushed to the hospital after robbing the oxygen cylinder and ran into a trespasser
A case of robbery of oxygen cylinders has been reported from the hospital in the hospital district of Damoh district of Madhya Pradesh. Regarding this incident in the district hospital, the District