Dinesh Kamath's Editorial (Get rid of this colonial law ) that was published in Newsband

Get rid of this colonial law

Cartoons should be protected as free speech. Turning the sedition law on cartoonists is as ridiculous as issuing fatwas against them. The work of Aseem Trivedi, the Kanpur-based cartoonist, is not something that deserved to be condemned. All the cartoonists in the country should have the freedom to draw and publish what they want without fear of being accused of being an enemy of the state.

The law of sedition laid down in Section 124A of the IPC has been frequently misused to target writers, speakers, opinion-makers and whistleblowers. But now the law is being used against cartoonists. Trivedi’s cartoons didn’t pose threat to the sovereignty of the country. Then why such a big fuss is being made?

The law of sedition is actually used for those who incite rebellion against the state. The cartoons in question advocated nothing of the sort. The law criminalizes attempts to arouse disaffection or contempt for the state. But political cartoons are meant to expose the faults in the government. Rather than attracting sedition charges, cartoons should be protected as free speech by the government.

This particular law is not clear. Its wording is so vague and open to expedient interpretation that it can be used to smother perfectly legitimate criticism. If this colonial law is to persist on the statute books, it needs to be brought up to date and directed against the real enemies of the state.

Aseem Trivedi's cartoons don't represent the emblem of Govt of India because it showed Jackals and so where is the question of showing disrespect to National Emblem. Also in North India, rich persons get their marriage pandals (shamiana) designed like famous structures like Red fort, Parliament and the viewing public appreciate the skills of the labour employed by the tent decorators. The same Mumbai police turn deaf ears to speeches and writings of Bal Tiger.

There are some cartoonists whose cartoons reflect perverted mind. You can border that work to insanity even. But nothing happens to them.

The old British Article 124 A must be removed from Indian penal Code as soon as possible. This article in its present form covers anyone and everyone who dares to criticize the government. According to it: 1. Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, 2. (the Government established by law in 3. (India) 4. shall be punished with 5. (Imprisonment of Life), to which fine may be added. Ridiculous law!

Truth is bitter but it has to be told and people who are hurt by this truth should accept the fact and be sporting.