Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Phone Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Science
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Phone Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / India News / Kerala's 'draconian' law on offensive online posts put on hold
  • India

    Kerala's 'draconian' law on offensive online posts put on hold

    Siddhant Pandey
    Written by
    Siddhant Pandey
    Twitter
    Last updated on Nov 23, 2020, 03:54 pm
    Kerala's 'draconian' law on offensive online posts put on hold
  • After inviting backlash with the Kerala Police Act Amendment ordinance, the state government on Monday decided to put the controversial law on hold.

    The Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had said that the law was aimed at checking online abuse, particularly the abuse targeting women.

    However, critics described the law as "draconian," calling it an attack on free speech and press freedom.

  • In this article
    Decided against implementing amendment after facing criticism: Vijayan What is the controversial new law? What are the issues with the law? Vijayan also justified decision to introduce amendment Opposition leaders move Kerala HC against amendment
  • Details

    Decided against implementing amendment after facing criticism: Vijayan

    Decided against implementing amendment after facing criticism: Vijayan
  • Chief Minister Vijayan said, "When the amendment was announced, there rose a difference of opinion from several quarters. Even those who support the LDF and those who stand for the protection of democracy expressed concern. It is in these circumstances that it was decided not to implement the amendment."

    He promised further action after discussing the matter in the Assembly with all parties.

  • Law

    What is the controversial new law?

  • Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan had on Saturday signed an ordinance introducing the new Section 118(A) in the Kerala Police Act.

    The section pertains to "punishment for making, expressing, publishing, or disseminating any matter which is threatening, abusive, humiliating or defamatory."

    Offenses under the law will be punishable with up to three years' imprisonment or a fine up to Rs. 10,000 or both.

  • Information

    What are the issues with the law?

  • Experts say that the law can be misused in several ways, such as to silence the critics of the government, muzzle the media, and curtail free speech. The law also empowers the police to decide which content may be deemed offensive, abusive, defamatory, etc.

  • Quote

    Vijayan also justified decision to introduce amendment

    Vijayan also justified decision to introduce amendment
  • Vijayan said, "The government had decided to bring the amendment to prevent false campaigns questioning personal freedom and dignity enshrined in the constitution."

    He added, "Women and transgender persons have been attacked mercilessly. Family relations have been affected and victims were driven to suicide. People, including media heads, had demanded that there should be laws against it. That's why we thought of the amendment."

  • Petitions

    Opposition leaders move Kerala HC against amendment

    Opposition leaders move Kerala HC against amendment
  • Opposition leaders moved the Kerala High Court against the new law on Monday.

    Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President K Surendran, and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leaders NK Premachandran, Shibu Baby John, and AA Azeez had submitted petitions in the HC challenging Section 118(A).

    Delhi-based Malayali lawyer Jojo Jose has also challenged the amendment.

    The pleas will be heard in court on Tuesday.

  • Kerala
  • Pinarayi Vijayan
  • Kerala High Court
  • BJP
  • LDF
  •  
Latest News
  • Pakistan win fourth T20I, seal series 3-1: Records broken
    Pakistan win fourth T20I, seal series 3-1: Records broken
    Sports
  • West Bengal: Amid coronavirus surge, fifth phase of polls begins
    West Bengal: Amid coronavirus surge, fifth phase of polls begins
    Politics
  • NewsBytes Briefing: Chip shortages will continue until 2023, and more
    NewsBytes Briefing: Chip shortages will continue until 2023, and more
    Science
  • Motorola rolls out Android 11 update for RAZR 5G model
    Motorola rolls out Android 11 update for RAZR 5G model
    Science
  • 'Aaj Tak' asked to apologize for manufacturing SSR's last words
    'Aaj Tak' asked to apologize for manufacturing SSR's last words
    India
Related Timelines
  • Kerala becomes fourth state to promise free COVID-19 vaccines
    Kerala becomes fourth state to promise free COVID-19 vaccines
    India
  • Kerala's new law: Three-year jail for 'offensive' social media posts
    Kerala's new law: Three-year jail for 'offensive' social media posts
    India
  • Kerala: Film set vandalized by right-wing group, CM promises action
    Kerala: Film set vandalized by right-wing group, CM promises action
    Entertainment
Trending Topics
ISRO Vaccine
Next News Article
Share
Cancel

Want to share it with your friends too?

Facebook Whatsapp Twitter Linkedin
Copied

Love India news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

India Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Science News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Bharti Airtel Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League Samsung Flipkart Virat Kohli
Rohit Sharma Cricket News YouTube Hollywood News WhatsApp Netflix Bollywood News ISRO Yoga Honda
Batman Football News BMW Vaccine Reliance Jio OPPO Food News, Healthy Recipes Apple Royal Challengers Bangalore Rishabh Pant
Toyota Manchester United Fashion Tips Mercedes Sidharth Malhotra Isha Ambani India Vs England Cricket OnePlus Mobiles Android TV Smart TV
Marvel Comics Avengers Neha Kakkar Big Bang Theory
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us News Reviews News Archive Topics Archive Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2021