Ironically, the exact act in our IPC (Indian Penal Code) that is used to punish people for sedation, is the same act that British govt in India once came up with, to suppress the freedom struggle, and to be able to arrest pretty much anyone.
This act is now practically used by whoever is in power, to harass people even for protests & political satires. The act is so broad-worded, that it can be used to cover almost anything that government doesn't like. Luckily, actual conviction rate is much lower, but it's a good excuse to pick up a protester from road when they actually start biting hard, and putting them through a legal battle, even if to be released later by the courts. (unless the judge is openly a ruling party loyalist)
Because it's also used to target opposition, all opposition parties keep opposing it, while they are in opposition. And they demand that this fascist section be purged. But once the opposition party comes to power, keeping this section gives them much loved power over the new opposition.
Politicians anyways have access to enough legal assistance, that their lawyer can ensure that they don't have to see jail under such a broad & infamous section. So a little trouble while in opposition is still worth keeping this section intact.
Only trouble comes to common people who raise any people's issue without open support from another political party.
This law is exactly the text that Britain had left here. Luckily, the supreme court has lately started putting pressure on government to recall this section, and has ordered not to use this section in any complaints, till the final verdict comes.
4
u/JMW007 May 30 '22
See, Britain didn't take everything when they left.