Kerala Governor Arif Muhammad Khan had recently signed an ordinance to amend the Kerala Police Act, 2011, to give the local law enforcement more teeth to curb defamation.
- The ordinance has introduced a new provision, Section 118-A, to the Act.
- The amendment proposes three years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs.10,000 for those convicted of producing, publishing or disseminating derogatory content through any means of communication to intimidate, insult or defame any person.
- The ordinance was criticized as it was termed a threat to the freedom of the press and free speech in the State.
- After massive protests by the Opposition parties, journalists’ bodies and civil rights activists, State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the State Government will not implement the amended act.
- According to the constitutional experts, the amendment could curtail the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19 (1) of the Constitution.
(Reference: The Hindu)
