The Supreme Court's interim order on Wednesday to stay all proceedings in sedition cases is a watershed. The decision has also evoked reactions from political parties, given the emotive nature of the debate on sedition.
The Supreme Court's decision came two days after the Centre announced it would re-examine the constitutional validity of Section 124A of the IPC. The court directed the Centre and state governments not to register new FIRs related to sedition until the Centre re-examined the legal provision.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted the interim order of the Supreme Court was a “historic decision”. He wrote “The message of the Supreme Court is clear. Autocratic rulers sitting on the throne of power should know that the criticism of anti-people policies of self-styled kings and unbridled governments cannot be strangled. Showing the mirror to power is nationalism, not treason.”
Surjewala also said the order marked fulfilment of a promise that the Congress had made in its manifesto for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress had then promised to omit Section 124A from the IPC.
Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju was more guarded on the Supreme Court decision. He was quoted by ANI as saying “We (Centre) have made our positions very clear and also informed the court about intention of our PM. We respect the court and its independence. But there's a Lakshman Rekha (line) that must be respected by all organs of the state in letter and spirit.”
He added “We have to ensure that we respect the provisions of the Indian Constitution as well as existing laws.”
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh linked the Centre's decision to review Section 124A to the recent case against independent MP Navneet Rana. Navneet and her husband, MLA Ravi Rana, were charged with sedition and other offences for attempting to chant Hanuman Chalisa outside the residence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray last month.
Digvijaya tweeted “It took a Sedition case against a BJP MP for GOI to agree for a Review. So a Thank You to Maharashtra Police too!! Won’t elaborate! Why I am thanking them also.”
