I feel that one should not read our Constitution so fastidiously (“A blow against free speech”, May 16). Provocatively worded statements, even if true, cannot be camouflaged as free speech. If inconvenient speech or writing under the garb of free expression can go unpunished, there is the risk of virulent and vituperative expressions also enjoying the same protection.
Free speech, even if it is a fundamental right, needs close monitoring as no fundamental right can be misused. If a false statement needs to be dealt with firmly, a defamatory false statement must also be treated with greater rigour. The judgment of the Supreme Court is right as our society cannot afford unrest on such issues.
V. Lakshmanan,Tirupur, Tamil Nadu
The writer has defended free speech in the name of democracy and individual civil liberties. However, community and group rights, which he calls notional, are fully ignored. The individual right of the person being defamed has also been ignored. New age politicians leave no stone unturned in maligning an individual for political mileage while the media falls back on unverified news and sources.
Sweety Kumari,New Delhi
The Supreme Court should uphold the fundamental rights of a citizen rather than curtail them. It is time draconian and colonial laws were reviewed. When the makers of these laws have themselves abolished laws relating to defamation and sedition, the Indian judiciary needs to understand a changing society and the irrelevance of age-old laws.
Yonark Bajaj,New Delhi
The media must realise that the freedom of speech and expression is not supreme. Every fundamental right comes under the purview of “reasonable restrictions”. The offence of defamation cannot be abrogated from the statute books altogether. The court is right in upholding the fundamental right of reputation which is an obvious requirement for one to lead a life of dignity. However, the criminal component could have been toned down and imprisonment removed from Section 500 of the IPC, with liability restricted to civil damages or paying a fine.
Gaurav Singhal,Rewari, Haryana
