The Kerala government has issued a fresh ordinance to revoke the Kerala Police Act amendment following criticism from various groups. A repeal ordinance was promulgated by Kerala Governor Arif Muhammed Khan.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the decision was taken after a special Cabinet meeting. He said, “The government will recommend the Kerala Governor to issue an ordinance to repeal the Section 118A, added to the Kerala Police Act, aimed at stopping bullying, insulting or disgracing individuals through any content and circulating the same through any communication medium.” Earlier, Politburo members like MA Baby hinted that decision to implement the amendment was taken without consultations within the party.
The amendment imposes imprisonment for up to five years or fine up to Rs 10,000 or both for those who produce, publish or disseminate content through any means of communication to insult or defame any person through social media. According to the government, the amendment ordinance aimed to address the increasing concerns regarding the crimes committed through social media. It added that the current laws are insufficient to handle these crimes, especially after dissolving Section 66A of the Information Technology Act and Section 118(D) of the Kerala Police Act.
On the other hand, various activists and political parties have criticised this government’s surprise move by claiming that this would be akin to curbing free speech. The Kerala High Court had earlier said that it no adverse action is to be taken invoking the controversial amendment following pleas filed by several opposition members including those from the UDF and BJP.
