Where the Mind Is... Full of Fear
As conversations on everyday issues shift online, people are increasingly sharing their views and opinions on social media. This has also given rise to an unfortunate culture of trolling and spamming. But a far more sinister trend is the increase in the number of criminal cases against ordinary people for their online posts.
A one-week span in June 2019 saw the arrest of eight people, including journalists, in four states, for their posts-some satirical, others serious- against political leaders. Whether it is to disagree with someone, or critique government policy, or satirise a stuffy politician, or express an unpopular opinion, our Constitution protects every person's right to hold and express views. Article 19(1)(a) guarantees the freedom of speech and expression, with some clearly defined exceptions-in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, State security, public order, decency, morality, contempt of court, defamation and incitement to a crime.
The criminal justice system, which derives its existence from the
