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Kerala government brings Draconian Law, 5-year jail term for any ‘offensive’ post on social media

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‘Freedom Of Expression’, something that is preached by many but the same latter turns otherwise when they are the ones being criticized. Kerala’s Communist government, who was recently seen raising awareness that BJP has been acting like a dictatorship and not letting people practice FOE has now come in with the same alternative in its state.

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has given his approval to a draconian ordinance by the LDF government amending the Kerala Police Act that provides for jail term for any social media or cyber post that is deemed “offensive” or threatening.

Khan’s office Saturday confirmed that he had signed the ordinance that incorporates a new Section, 118 (A), in the Kerala Police Act. Accordingly, any person who creates or sends any information that is offensive or is intended to offend or threaten another person, through any means of communication, is liable to face imprisonment of five years or a fine of Rs 10,000 or both.

It is feared that the amendment could have a chilling effect on free speech giving more power to the police and restricting freedom of the press. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has claimed the decision was guided by growing abuse on social media targeting individuals.

“The government claims that Section 118(A) is meant to protect people, particularly women, from social media abuse. But in reality, the new law would be used by the authorities and government against those who criticise them”, says lawyer Anoop Kumaran, who has declared his intention to move the High Court against this amendment.

It said while the Supreme Court had repealed section 66-A of the IT Act and Section 118 (d) of the Kerala Police Act on the grounds that these were against freedom of expression, the Centre has not introduced any other legal framework.

The irony is that the masses who used to attack BJP for their ‘fascism’ have now muted themselves just because the political parties of their own ideology too have resolved to similar practices.

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